FTC Urged to Adopt Microsoft’s Privacy Standards

The Federal Trade Commission is getting an earful about Internet privacy. The opinions on the FTC’s proposed self-regulatory principles to govern online advertising vary widely, with Microsoft taking bold steps to suggest an approach it deems “comprehensive.”On Friday, Microsoft proposed a five-tiered system to protect consumers’ privacy. Its recommendations call for standards in five key circumstances: when site visitors’ data is collected for online advertising, when ads are delivered on unrelated sites, when sites engage in behavioral advertising, when personally identifiable information is used, and when sensitive personal data is used.

“We welcome the opportunity to work with the FTC to ensure that online consumers benefit from meaningful privacy protections,” said Brad Smith, senior vice president and general counsel for Microsoft. “Online advertising should put consumers in the driver’s seat, not only with the information they want to see, but also with the tools to protect their privacy.”

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Add comment April 14th, 2008