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FTC Wants Voluntary 'Do Not Track' for the Web
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is investigating into the possibility of creating a ‘Do Not Track’ list that would restrict the types of web marketing that can be undertaken by companies. This list would be similar to that of the popular ‘Do Not Call’ list.
One potential difficulty with the Do Not Track concept, however, is to determine the mechanism that would be used to implement such a system. The existing mechanisms for a Do Not Call list do not necessarily apply to the Do Not Track concept.
Unlike telephone numbers, which are unique and generally do not change frequently, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses may be shared and can change as frequently as every few days. As such, while a central database to keep track of individuals who have opted out is useful in a Do Not Call system, such a mechanism would not necessarily suit the Do Not Track concept.
The FTC’s recommendations are part of a broader report outlining a suggested framework for privacy.
For additional information, visit:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-20024128-93.html#ixzz17e3mS8P8