FCC Denies Petition to Implement Do Not Track Invoking the Federal Communications Commissions Net Neutrality order, Santa Monica-based Consumer Watchdog petitioned the FCC to “initiate a rulemaking proceeding requiring ‘edge providers’ (like Google, Facebook, YouTube, Pandora, Netflix, and LinkedIn) to honor ‘Do Not Track’ Requests from consumers.” The FCC declined the invitation, explaining that in…
With industry efforts to create do not track standards reaching an impasse and disputes over whether DNT requests should be honored in cases where DNT is the browser’s default setting (e.g., Firefox), the California legislature has stepped into the debate by passing a bill requiring websites to disclose how they handle DNT requests. Specifically, the…
In a June 26th address to the 23rd Computers Freedom and Privacy Conference, FTC Commissioner Julie Brill seized on the Snowden scandal as a means to take the offensive on this issue. For Brill this means: launching her campaign for “Reclaim Your Name” under which consumers can learn what information is collected about them; and linking…
For several years now, the online ad industry, internet browser suppliers and others have engaged in a debate over the appropriate standards for a “Do Not Track” protocol. The Digital Advertising Alliance, has established a self-regulatory program to enable consumers to opt-out of tracking with participating companies. The stumbling point in the debate with browser…
OBAMA LOOKS WEST FOR NEW FTC CHAIR On Monday, FTC Commissioner Edith Ramirez takes over as FTC Chairwoman. Ramirez, a law school classmate of the President and former partner at the Los Angeles office of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, is the FTC’s first Latina chair. She previously has expressed strong interest in privacy stressing that she…
ADVERTISERS REVOLT OVER IE10’S DO NOT TRACK SETTING, FTC SETS YEAR-END DEADLINE FOR PROGRESS While privacy legislation has stalled, do not track has continued to be in debate due to recent actions of Microsoft and the World Wide Web Consortium (w3C). Microsoft’s decision to set the latest Internet Explorer browser default setting to do not…
Microsoft’s Internet Explorer’s default setting will soon be to block tracking by third-party advertisers, as its Chief Privacy Officer explained “consumers should be empowered to make an informed choice.” Advertisers, however, are fuming over the move, with IAB President Randall Rothenberg asserting that ”a default setting that automatically blocks content violates the consumer’s right to choose.” Currently…
The White House announcement came as the Digital Advertising Alliance agreed to support embedding do not track buttons in browsers. Key principals of the proposals are: Individual Control: Consumers have a right to exercise control over what personal data companies collect from them and how they use it. Transparency: Consumers have a right to easily…
Cyber Law and Business Report – February 22, 2012 Anniversary of 1980 “Miracle on Ice” hockey game SEGMENT ONE – THE LATEST GOOGLE CONTROVERSIES WITH PRIVACY JOURNAL’S ROBERT ELLIS SMITH Robert Ellis Smith is a journalist who uses his training as an attorney to report on the individual’s right to privacy. Since 1974, he has…
Featuring Tech Dirt’s Mike Masnick and eSarcasm’s Dan Tynan (1) Mike Masnick: He is the CEO and founder ofTechdirt, a weblog that focuses on technology news and tech-related issues. Masnick is also the founder and CEO of the company Floor64 and a contributor at BusinessWeek‘s Business Exchange. Before founding Floor64, Masnick worked in business development and marketing at Release…
Do Not Track Bill Introduced, Browsers Advance The 112th Congress’ privacy legislation derby is expected to have plenty of contestants, Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL) has reintroduced his “Best Practices Act,” while Reps. Cliff Stearns (R-FL), Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) and Sen,. John Kerry (D-MA) are each expected to offer bills soon. Stearns recently indicated that…
Cyber Report 