FTC Wants ‘Do Not Track’ Button for Web Users

Many Internet users worry that tracking devices on the Web violate their privacy, bringing them ads they don’t want and making them vulnerable to identity theft and other crimes. So now the Federal Trade Commission is recommending a plan to allow Internet users to avoid having their browsing and buying activity watched by others, The New York Times reports.

The proposal includes a “do not track” option that would allow Web users to avoid marketers, just as they can on their telephones with the “do not call” registry.

While the FTC’s plan is far reaching, Congress will probably have to approve some of the ideas to make them law. At this point, the commission seeks to utilize a “privacy by design” approach, requiring companies to include privacy protection in their normal activity.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/02/business/media/02privacy.html?_r=1&hp