The International Association of Privacy Professionals and HP are sponsoring the 2006 IAPP Innovation Awards to recognize "three organizations that demonstrate high levels of integration of privacy protection throughout their entire business process."

Yes, HP, the company that hired outside security firms to violate the privacy of its board members and reporters, is sponsoring a privacy award. It's as if Enron were sponsoring an award for business ethics. If only AOL's name were attached somehow, the irony would be complete.

If there's an upside for HP, it's that the company now stands a chance of winning a Big Brother Award this year. But it's going to have to work hard if it wants to beat out AT&T.