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FTC Wants Do-Not-Track System for Web

Says Internet users need better privacy protection

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 1, 2010 3:08 PM CST

(Newser) – The FTC is calling for the creation of a system that allows consumers to opt out of having the web pages they view tracked by advertisers, the Wall Street Journal reports. The commission said "industry must do better" to protect online privacy in its report issued today. The FTC proposes that web browsers be made to include an option to enable untracked browsing for people registered with a federal do-not-track list. The latter would be modeled on the do-not-call list, notes PC World.

Registering with the DNT list would ensure that companies would regularly delete information on consumers' browsing and buying preferences. The FTC's director of consumer protection reminds that it would take an "an act of Congress" to establish such a do-not-track system.

The FTC wants a do-not-track list created for Internet users.
The FTC wants a do-not-track list created for Internet users.   (Flickr)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 20 comments
SteveLee
Dec 2, 2010 9:29 AM CST
Steve Jobs has a plan for the Internet that goes beyond selling a few-million-more i-Pads as he has a new advertising service plus he has a record of how his users pay for the applications they install on their i-Devices: http://www.flixya.com/post/brightlights/1989192/Apples_Plan_To_End_The_Free_Internet
bewilderbeast
Dec 2, 2010 7:00 AM CST
It'll be the usual problem: "On my left ladies and gentlemen, a million voters; On my right, a million dollars". *watch politicians scurrying to right corner, tripping over each other in their haste, while shouting over their shoulders "we love y'all"*
postroad
Dec 1, 2010 4:22 PM CST
I believe that what is being addressed here is not the cookies so easily deleted and not spam and not ads but rather the new type cookies, referred to as flash cookies, which deleted, come back dracula-like and not easily gotten rid of. The WSJ ran a piece recently on this sort of ad tracking and noted how insidious it is and how difficult to get rid of.
 

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