Internet service providers should ask surfers' permission before using their
traffic data for advertising purposes, according to the Center for Democracy
& Technology (CDT).
The US pressure group said that consumers should be able to say no to having
their web traffic analysed to target specific adverts.
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The comments were made as the Network Advertising Initiative updates its
self-regulatory
code
of conduct for online behavioural advertising, taking into account input
from outside organisations.
"CDT suggests that ISPs engaged in such practices be required to provide
unavoidable notice and obtain affirmative, express opt-in consent," an official
CDT statement said.
The group also asked that ISPs display ongoing notice of these practices, and
that when consumers revoke their consent their internet traffic data should no
longer be collected.
CDT said it had welcomed the original NAI principles when they were issued in
2000 as an important first step, but saw room for improvement even in the
initial version.
ISPs engaged in such practices [should] obtain express opt-in consent
Center for Democracy & Technology
"We had hoped that the NAI would regularly update its principles and, in
recent years, as technological evolution has accelerated and consolidation among
online advertising companies has taken hold, we have urged the NAI to revisit
its principles to resolve the issues present in the original version and to
address emerging issues in the marketplace," the CDT statement said.
CDT also said it remained unclear how the NAI principles would interact with
the US Federal Trade Commission's current work on guidelines for behavioral
advertising self regulation.
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