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April 16, 2008
FTC Asked for "Do Not Track" List
“Two consumer groups asked the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on Tuesday to create a ‘do not track list’ that would allow computer users to bar advertisers from collecting information about them.
“The Consumer Federation of America and the Consumers Union also urged the FTC to bar collection of health information and other sensitive data by companies that do business on the Internet unless a consumer consents.
“The call echoed those of other privacy advocates who filed statements with the FTC on Internet companies’ use of behavioral advertising, which is the practice of tracking a computer user’s activities online, including Web searches and sites visited, to target advertisements to the individual consumer.”
(Link)
You can read the letter in PDF format(121kb). It has some proposed implementation details, which the Reuters article avoids altogether:
“Any advertising entity that sets a persistent identifier on a user device would be required to provide to the FTC the domain names of the servers or other devices used to place the identifier. Companies providing Web, video, and other forms of browser applications would provide functionality (i.e., a browser feature, plug-in, or extension) that allows users to import or otherwise use the ‘Do Not Track’ registry of domain names, keep the registry up-to-date, and block domains on the registry from tracking their Internet activity.
“Advertisements from servers or other technologies that do not employ persistent identifiers would still be displayed on consumers’ computers. Thus, consumers who sign up for the ‘Do Not Track’ registry would still receive advertising.
“The ‘Do Not Track’ registry would be available on the FTC Web site for download by consumers who wish to use the list to limit tracking. We would expect the FTC to undertake broad educational efforts aimed at both consumers and industry members about the ‘Do Not Track’ registry and how to use it. It would also be important for the FTC to actively encourage all creators of browsing and other relevant technology to incorporate facilities that would enable consumers to use the registry.”
At that point, it seems fair to me for Google et al to also use the plugin/feature/extension as a “do not provide services” flag. Somehow, I don’t imagine them getting away with that.
Posted by mhall at 5:52 PM | Add Comment
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