Groups seek end to tracking online visitors

Two consumer groups want Internet companies to stop using "behavioral advertising." It's a practice you have probably seen that tracks a computer user's activities online, including Web searches and sites visited, in order to target advertising to a consumer's interests. The Consumer Federation of America and the Consumers Union filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission this week, seeking an end to this practice. What's wrong with it? Well, the consumer groups argue that it's a violation of privacy. But advertisers told the FTC that self-regulation is a better way to deal with the issue rather than having the government dictate how personal data is retrieved and collected. However, consumer groups said they are skeptical of self-regulation. "Self-policing schemes are not enough to protect consumers' privacy and offer no enforcement against improper behavior," said Chris Murray, senior counsel for Consumers Union, in a statement. If the consumers were to prevail, it could put a crimp in efforts by IT executives to use these tracking tools to generate business. Or will it? Let us know what you think.

For more on this:
- Check out this eWeek article