Arguing that the threat to privacy in the new technological era of information processing and transmitting via cable television is a real one, this paper proposes that the threat can be minimized through effective legislation. The paper first looks at cable television privacy concerns and examines several studies concerning privacy, then reviews existing federal laws and court decisions concerning privacy in three areas applicable to two-way cable: (1) data gathering, storage, and dissemination; (2) disclosure of records held by third parties; and (3) eavesdropping or electronic surveillance. The paper also considers current state cable regulations and cable company self-regulatory practices regarding privacy. It then applies these studies, laws, and practices to formulating recommendations for future cable privacy legislation. The paper concludes with a list of 11 such recommendations that provide a guide for protecting cable subscribers' privacy. (FL)