Abstract: A method for protecting the privacy of a person's email address that is maintained in an on-line directory service (14). The directory service includes a database (16) having actual email addresses and a processing system (20) that is available for retrieving these listings from the database. The method includes the computer implemented steps of receiving from a user a request for a person's email address; determining whether or not a record is present in the database that corresponds with the user request; and if a record is present that includes a person's actual email address, then automatically displaying a selectable proxy email address (38) in lieu of the person's actual email address. The proxy email address is provided without having been requested by the person and without requiring the processing system to determine whether or not the person prefers to have a proxy email address displayed or the person's actual email address displayed.