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Advertisers Blast Microsoft Over IE Default Privacy Settings
theodp writes "GeekWire reports that Microsoft is sticking to its decision to implement 'Do-Not-Track' as the default for IE 10, despite drawing the ire of corporate America, the Apache Software Foundation, and the FTC Chairman. Representatives of a veritable Who's Who of Corporate America — e.g., GM, IBM, BofA, Walmart, Merck, Allstate, AT&T, Motorola — signed off on a letter blasting Microsoft for its choice. 'By presenting Do Not Track with a default on,' the alliance argues, 'Microsoft is making the wrong choice for consumers.' The group reminds Microsoft that Apache — whose Platinum Sponsors have branded Microsoft's actions a deliberate abuse of open standards and designed its software to ignore the 'do-not-track' setting if the browser reaching it is IE 10. It also claims that the FTC Chairman, formerly supportive of Microsoft's privacy efforts, now recognizes 'the harm to consumers that Microsoft's decision could create.'"
And MS has no business imposing a setting onto the user when the user did not explicit set. The standard does specify that the user needs to set the setting.
While MS claims that one can change this during the windows installation, average users don't install windows themselves, but have someone else install it for them.
There also millons of scenarios where several people share a same computer; in which case, at most one user runs the windows installation.
You sound like a marketing sleaze with that attitude. DNT should be the default for all applications with users having to opt-in to be tracked.
It amazes me how you think businesses are entitled to store the information you send them.
FTFY.