Thoughts on Internet Privacy and Third Party Trackers

According to a TechNewsWorld.com article, "Internet Explorer 9 to Let Privacy Minded Web Users Leave No Tracks," written by Rob Spiegel, Microsoft plans to include a new feature called "Tracking Protection" on their new release of Internet Explorer 9, which will be available in 2011. The new privacy feature will prevent third party websites from monitoring a person's web use at the discretion of the user. It is very similar to Internet Explorer's "InPrivate Browsing" control that is already in use except that it will allow for more privacy customizations at the user's decision. If Microsoft releases this feature, it is believed that it will replace the government's need for a "Do Not Track" regulation which the Federal Trade Commission may have had trouble enforcing to begin with. I believe that this is a great idea on the part of Microsoft because it not only eliminates the government from having to get involved, which can create a mess in itself, but it also eliminates third party companies from tracking websites that people have visited. Most often, companies who gather an individual's information are using it to compile personal profiles about that person.  A person's profile may then be sold to marketers who place advertisements that are tailored to that person's interests or needs on the websites that he or she visits. Now, this may not seem like a big deal to some, and in fact, many people may actually like receiving advertisements that are catered towards their interests, but to others, it is an invasion of privacy.  There is no reason not to include such a feature because the people who do not feel threatened, don't have to use the privacy control and the people who would like more privacy, can control their privacy to their heart's desire.  Personally, I would probably use the settings, just because you never truly know who is in control of your information these days. I know companies such as Facebook persuade people to share their information and encourage people to become more open on the web, but I just don't know if it's such a good idea. It is still too early in the years of the Internet and social networking to tell what the extent of damage will be by placing too much personal information on the web.  Since Microsoft is now just developing this feature for Internet Explorer, it is obvious that people are still concerned or are growing concerned over the issue of their privacy on the Internet.


The following is a link to the article referred to in my blog: http://www.technewsworld.com/story/71412.html