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Yahoo to Let Users Opt Out of Targeted Ads

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 8, 2008 9:09 AM CDT

(Newser) – Internet giant Yahoo will offer users the opportunity to opt out of targeted advertising as concerns mount over consumer privacy, the Washington Post reports. The move comes as Congress is taking a closer look at how web sites track users' data and translate it into ads. Watchdog groups say even with the opt-out option, Yahoo and others continue to collect a wealth of information from web surfers.

"What Yahoo is doing is better than before but I think most consumers would expect that if they 'opt out,' then the information will no longer be collected," said one. The company says that if the restrictions against targeted ads become too severe, it will hurt its ability to provide free services such as news and email.

Yahoo CEO Jerry Yang at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Yahoo is set to offer consumers the chance to opt out of targeted advertising.
Yahoo CEO Jerry Yang at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Yahoo is set to offer consumers the chance to opt out of targeted advertising.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, file)
Yahoo is set to offer consumers the chance to opt out of targeted advertising.
Yahoo is set to offer consumers the chance to opt out of targeted advertising.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, file)
Yahoo is set to offer consumers the chance to opt out of targeted advertising.
Yahoo is set to offer consumers the chance to opt out of targeted advertising.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, file)
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