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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.'"

4 of 146 comments (clear)

  1. What's with all these registries? by Otis2222222 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Do Not Call, Do Not E-mail, and now Do Not Track?

    Something I really don't understand here is why ANY reasonable person would not opt-out of any of these systems? (Granted, only the first one is actually coded into law) And how do you enforce them for companies based outside the USA? And for that matter, what's to stop companies from outsourcing their tracking offshore to skirt the laws?

    Where is the"your post advocates a..." for this?

    1. Re:What's with all these registries? by Blakey+Rat · · Score: 5, Insightful

      You're going to see the ads anyway, why not see ads targeted towards products you're interested in?

      I don't care if Google knows what websites I visit. Oooo! A single 29-year-old male goes to porn sites!! How EEEEEVIL of Google to know this!

  2. Cookies by Gat0r30y · · Score: 5, Funny

    When you outlaw cookies, only outlaws will have cookies..... yum delicious cookies

    --
    Prediction: The real iPhone killer is going to be sex robots from Japan. Think about it.
  3. Re:No, I'm not going to see the ads. by Blakey+Rat · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Gruh, I should have specifically said "no 'I use AdBlock' responses." Yes, we get it, a lot of Slashdot readers use AdBlock. I understand this. I've read the snarky "the web has ads? I use AdBlock so I don't see them" about 50,000 times this month alone! Yes, I know it exists. Yes, I know people use it. Yes, I choose not to as a way of supporting the sites I visit. No, you won't convince me to download it.

    Sorry, those posts are irritating as hell. Please try to respond with original thoughts. Thank you.