6 Internet providers disclose Web tracking for ads

By ANICK JESDANUN , AP Internet Writer, Technology / Internet

(AP) -- The nation's largest Internet service providers all say they haven't partnered with Silicon Valley startup NebuAd Inc. to monitor Web surfing and deliver targeted advertising to their subscribers. Here is a look at six smaller service providers, however, that have conducted trials. The companies say all the tests have ended, often to review privacy and related issues. No provider is known to be currently using NebuAd.

Content from The Associated Press expires 15 days after original publication date. For more information about The Associated Press, please visit www.ap.org .

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Posted by jeffsaunders 08/31/08 21:40

Rank: 5/5 after 2 votes

It is still being done by stealth.

I am a firm believer in OPT IN options not OPT OUT options.

The same rules should apply to snail mail and phone marketers. If they do not have permission to communicate marketing with the recipient then they should not be allowed to do it.

No-one should be allowed to sell or distribute lists of addresses without prior permission from every name in the list.

These measures might just give us all our privacy back again.

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Posted by Arikin 08/31/08 23:02

Rank: 5/5 after 1 vote

JeffSaunders, exactly right! Internet usage is just another form of communication. It should fall under similar laws for communications with details put in to cover the abilities of the internet.

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Posted by nilbud 08/31/08 23:37

Not rated yet.

Use gmail it has the best spam filters and when browsing use firefox with adblock Plus.

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Posted by DoctorKnowledge 09/01/08 00:57

Rank: 5/5 after 1 vote

The point is, we shouldn't have to do anything to protect our privacy. If we, as individuals, tried to do similar things to NebuAd and their employees, would their lawyers stand for it? Of course not.

There's a broader issue though. If NebuAd does it, what's stopping 10,000 other companies from doing it? It's impractical for people to be constantly assessing notifications that might affect their privacy.

People deserve legal protection here, because they can't defend themselves.