Ring, Ring, Ring: Do Not Call List Expires Soon

‘Do Not Track’ would bar companies from targeting ads

(NEWSER) - Consumer and privacy advocates have proposed a voluntary online “Do Not Track” list that would bar companies from monitoring web traffic for the purpose of targeting ads. Modeled on the popular “Do Not Call” list, which blocks phone telemarketers, the new proposal wouldn’t outlaw ads altogether, the Post and Times report, but would disallow the use of behavioral data. More»

Start by asking for a copy of company's 'do not call' policy

(NEWSER) - Looking for a little telemarketer revenge? The Consumerist has just the thing: It points out that telemarketing companies are required to send you a copy of their "do not call" policy upon request. If they fail to do so, you can sue for $500. The site also points to a sample script from someone who has worked this particular magic. More»

FCC clamps down on telemarketers again

(NEWSER) - Still getting robocalls or calls from telemarketers around dinner even though you diligently added your name to the do-not-call registry? The FCC issued new rules today intended to tighten up loopholes and put an end to the ringing, reports USA Today . Among them:

• Telemarketers must get written permission before calling you.
• Companies can no longer skirt the law because they already have done business with you. (Banks took advantage of this a lot.)
• Telemarketers must present an easy, automated way to end a call.
• Automated political calls ... sorry, not covered. They're considered informational, as are calls from schools and nonprofits. The good news is that they still can't go to wireless phones without your consent.

It agrees to independent audits for 20 years

(AP) - Facebook is settling with the FTC over charges it deceived consumers with its privacy settings to get people to share more personal information than they originally agreed to. The charges go back to at least 2009, when Facebook changed its privacy settings so that information users may have deemed private, such as their list of friends, suddenly became viewable to everyone. "They didn't warn users that this change was coming, or get their approval in advance," the FTC said. More»

Settlement also reportedly calls for 20 years of privacy audits

(NEWSER) - Facebook and the FTC are apparently near a settlement over allegations that the social network misled users when it altered privacy settings in 2009. Under the settlement, Facebook would need “express affirmative consent” to make “material retroactive changes,” insiders tell the Wall Street Journal . Translation from Business Insider : All new privacy features would have to be of the opt-in variety. More»