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Consumer Groups Advocate for 'Do Not Track' Registry
eldavojohn writes "Consumer groups are asking for a 'do not track' registry to be implemented, similar to the successful and popular 'do not call' registry. Tracking companies are asking for examples where tracking has caused harm, and would rather the industry stay self-regulated. 'In December, the FTC approved Google's purchase of advertising rival DoubleClick over the objections of some privacy groups. At the same time, the agency urged advertisers to let computer users bar advertisers from collecting information on them, to provide "reasonable security" for any data and to collect data on health conditions or other sensitive issues only with the consumer's express consent.'"
Plus TOR.
The web has ads? I haven't seen one in years.
Ignoring that- no I don't want to have more targeted ads. Its an invasion of my privacy- I did not give them permission to stalk me. I'm not going to buy their product regaurdless- I don't make impulse purchases. The last time I bought something I wasn't planning on a month in advanced (or wasn't an emergency replacement- like a light bulb burning out) was a good year or two ago.
Its also counterproductive for them- if I see a television, radio, print or other advertisement for a product, I will not buy your product for a minimum of a month or longer, depending on the obnoxiousness of the ad (for example, direct mail is a minimum 6 months- you're annoying me and wasting resources at the same time). My time and attention are valuable, if you're going to waste them with advertising shit, I will not support your company. I also do not buy the products of any company that sells ad space. The only exception to this rule are in-store ads, as its reasonable that if I'm at the store already then I'm looking for products. I highly suggest more people take this approach- if people start not just ignoring, but actively avoiding advertised products we can end the annoyances that are billboards, commercials, and direct mail.
I still have more fans than freaks. WTF is wrong with you people?
How can they know not to track you unless they know it's you. Ergo, they have to track in order not to track. Why not just outlaw tracking altogether, since that's the outright effect of this proposed ban.