A communication system that is capable of collecting information from one
or more users of the communication system includes one or more data
collection mechanisms that are operated by a first entity. The mechanisms
operate to collect at least a portion of information from a user of a
communication system on behalf of a second entity that is different than
the first entity. The system also includes one or more memory modules
that are coupled to the one or more data collection mechanisms and that
are operable to store one or more records on behalf of the second entity.
Each of the one or more records comprises information that is associated
with a client of the second entity. At least one of the one or more
records comprises at least a portion of the information collected from
the user of the communication system. In one particular embodiment, the
one or more records are controlled by the first entity.