FTC firmly suggests do-not-track option in internet privacy plan

The Federal Trade Commission proposed an online privacy program Wednesday. Part of the FTC privacy plan recommends a “do-not-track” option for web browsers and social media websites. A universal do-not-track choice is viewed as probably the most efficient way to protect online privacy.

The FTC online privacy proposal

Until January 31, the public can give their input on the proposal from the FTC called, do-not-track. FTC Chairman, Jon Leibowitz, is hoping that businesses will follow these guidelines on their own because it is something the FTC doesn’t have the authority to enforce. If you will find issues with online privacy, the consumer bears the bulk of the issues, and also the FTC thinks stricter guidelines need to be in place to inform the consumers more. The FTC is searching for feedback on how a do-not-track mechanism should be offered and what the result might be if most people choose to use it.

Existing do-not-track options

The FTC is trying to one up the current do-not-track systems to make a universal and widely used method. Microsoft introduced the “InPrivate Browsing” setting with Internet Explorer 8. Firefox offers a “Private Browsing” setting and Google Chrome features private browsing in “Incognito” mode. Nevertheless, widely used technologies such as Adobe’s “Flash cookies,” although not designed specifically for tracking, are being collected by third parties to use for targeted advertising. Facebook is just an additional company that has collected and sold you private details to 3rd party marketing companies.

Internet invasions warned by FTC

Could this be a warning that the government will clean up the web if the companies don't do it on their own? Leibowitz is hoping companies fix this on their own, but if they don't he is preparing to rally for some sort of an enforcement of the FTC changes. Congress kept an Internet privacy hearing earlier this year at which legislators compared the web to a “deeply disturbing shopping mall” where machines watch and record your every move.

Articles cited

ZDnet

zdnet.com/blog/btl/ftc-calls-for-do-not-track-list-new-policies-to-protect-online-privacy/42278

PC World

pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2373681,00.asp

Ars Technica

arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2010/07/congress-ponders-privacy-of-your-underwear-immortal-soul.ars