Support for ad-tracking opt out

News Type: Event — Seeded on Thu Nov 1, 2007 8:05 AM EDT

Article Source: BBC News

technology, ftc, do-not-track-list, based-on-users-web-habits, consumer-bodies, support-for-ad-tracking-opt-out, tailoring-adverts, tracked-by-advertisers, uw-privacy-advocates

Seeded by ShaunV

US privacy advocates and consumer bodies are seeking the creation of an opt-out list for internet users who do not want to be tracked by advertisers.

The "do not track" list would prevent companies from tailoring adverts based on a user's web habits.

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ShaunV's Column, All of Newsvine
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{"commentId":1147573,"authorDomain":"SVForbes"}

ShaunV

The "do not track" list would require advertisers that place electronic cookies or tags on consumers' computers to register with the FTC all domain names of the servers involved in such activities, according to the groups.

{"commentId":1147573,"threadId":"169986","contentId":"1065488","authorDomain":"SVForbes"}

1 vote

#1 - Thu Nov 1, 2007 8:07 AM EDT

{"commentId":1147885,"authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

MinnieApolis

The Washington Post has a similar story today. It has this quote --

The advertising initiative, for its part, argues that a Do Not Track registry isn't necessary, saying that the voluntary program is user-friendly and most unwanted ads can be avoided using the cookie technology. "We think this proposal is redundant and overwrought," said J. Trevor Hughes, NAI executive director.

Sounds like they are underwhelmed by this idea.
The real problem is that criminal types like pedophiles could use it to shield their visits to porn sites or social sites like MySpace, wherever, to troll for victims. This story does not address legitimate law enforcement concerns.

{"commentId":1147885,"threadId":"169986","contentId":"1065488","authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

2 votes

#2 - Thu Nov 1, 2007 10:28 AM EDT

{"commentId":1148074,"authorDomain":"SVForbes"}

ShaunV

criminal types like pedophiles could use it to shield their visits to porn sites or social sites

But they could likely only hide the visit on their own computer. Law enforcement will still know if they visited a site, by reviewing the site's logs.

Even if an anonymizer is used some do keep logs and have to turn them over if a court order is issued.

Thanks for the informative link.

{"commentId":1148074,"threadId":"169986","contentId":"1065488","authorDomain":"SVForbes"}

2 votes

#2.1 - Thu Nov 1, 2007 11:29 AM EDT

{"commentId":1150207,"authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

MinnieApolis

No charge for the link - but don't tell MSNBC that, let them think I'm pouring big bucks into this thing.
And I hope to see some lively discussion on this(?). There is a lot to be said on both sides.

{"commentId":1150207,"threadId":"169986","contentId":"1065488","authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

1 vote

#2.2 - Fri Nov 2, 2007 1:05 AM EDT

{"commentId":1150721,"authorDomain":"SVForbes"}

ShaunV

And I hope to see some lively discussion on this(?).

I am surprised that more people are not interested in this issue.

{"commentId":1150721,"threadId":"169986","contentId":"1065488","authorDomain":"SVForbes"}

1 vote

#2.3 - Fri Nov 2, 2007 9:13 AM EDT

{"commentId":1151018,"authorDomain":"GreyWolf"}

Grey Wolf

"I am surprised that more people are not interested in this issue."

I was about to seed this and saw you already had, so here I am. :-)

On topic; I usually support anything the EFF supports/proposes, to me they are like the ACLU of the Internet. I support this initiative.

{"commentId":1151018,"threadId":"169986","contentId":"1065488","authorDomain":"GreyWolf"}

1 vote

#2.4 - Fri Nov 2, 2007 11:00 AM EDT

{"commentId":1151033,"authorDomain":"SVForbes"}

ShaunV

I usually support anything the EFF supports/proposes, to me they are like the ACLU of the Internet. I support this initiative.

I do, too, Grey Wolf.

{"commentId":1151033,"threadId":"169986","contentId":"1065488","authorDomain":"SVForbes"}

2 votes

#2.5 - Fri Nov 2, 2007 11:08 AM EDT

{"canLink":false,"threadId":"169986","isPrivate":false}

SHAUNV

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Support for ad-tracking opt out

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