User:Chotongfui/sandbox/Do Not Track

Do Not Track is a term including technologies and a series of policy proposals that protects users’ right to choose whether or not to be tracked by third party websites.

Overview
With the development of the Internet technology, a large number of people, business entities and organizations are interacting with each other. Personal information has become a valuable asset because many business entrepreneurs are utilizing it to implement targeting advertisements or marketing promotions. According to a press release from the Consumer Watchdog, however, there is a growing concern for rampant collection of personal information. In an effort to alleviate those concerns, several U.S. legislators are trying to enact laws in regard to the protection of internet users’ privacy.

As of 2011, there were several bills introduced around this issue: "Do Not Track Me Online Act of 2011" by Rep. Jackie Speier, "Senate Bill 761 (died)" by Sen. Alan Lowenthal, "A new Commercial Privacy Bill of Rights" by Sen. John Kerry and Sen. John McCain, "Do Not Track Online Act of 2011" by Sen. Jay Rockefeller, and "Do Not Track Kids Act of 2011" by Rep. Joe Barton and Rep. Ed Markey.

This issue began to surface again in 2012 after Google announced its new privacy policy. Rep. Markey, Rep. Barton, and Rep. Stearns asked FTC to investigate the legality of Google’s change of privacy policy; they sent a letter to FTC regarding Google’s changed privacy policy.