EXHIBIT 16.1 Securities and Exchange Commission 450 Fifth Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20549 Commissioners: We have read the statements made by AltaVista pursuant to Item 11 (i) of Form S-1 contained in the second paragraph in the section entitled "Experts" of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 dated December 17, 1999. We agree with the statements concerning our Firm in such Form S-1. Very truly yours, PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP San Jose, California March 8, 2000