Consumers can buy everything from clothing to airline tickets online, but what happens to all the information you type into a database to get these purchases? Are companies protecting the information they collect online about consumers or is it a free-for-all for advertising purposes?

The unfettered collection of information about consumers came under fire on Capitol Hill last week when lawmakers began questioning how well Internet companies protect information they collect. "I think it's a big deal if someone tracks where you go and what you look at without your personal approval. We wouldn't like that in the non-Internet world and I personally don't like it in the Internet world," said Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas).

The issue of privacy continues to fester at hearings on Capitol Hill. Just how much information should a company retain about you and how is it protected?

Lawmakers are drafting Internet privacy legislation that will, among other things, give consumers information about just what is being collected about them. The legislation would also give them greater control over how the data can be used and prevent the data from being shared with advertisers.

For more on your data and your privacy:
- check out this Wall Street Journal article

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