Privacy Online: USA jumps aboard the “Do-Not-Track” standard - Hoofdinhoud
Privacy Online: USA jumps aboard the "Do-Not-Track" standard1.9522
Photo under Creative Commons license thanks to Sean MacEntee
Good news today as the White House supports efforts for online service providers and web browsers to implement a “do not track standard”- just as we have been doing here in the EU.
“Do not track” is a valuable safeguard when you’re browsing online. Tracking online can bring benefits for users - meaning for example you can benefit from tailored online offerings. But the important thing is to let the user decide: to put the user in control, in a fair and transparent way. A “do not track” standard will help do this.
I’ve long been a big supporter of this industry standard, which is already being developed by big global players like Google, Nokia, and Microsoft. With thinking now moving in the same direction on both sides of the Atlantic, it’s clear which way the wind’s blowing, and that this “do-not-track” standard needs to be the industry’s response to the user demand for privacy safeguards.
The industry now needs, by this June, to develop and deliver a standard that governs the consequences when a user does select not to be tracked, and meets other key features. I know they are working hard to do this: they have my full support.