Amidst the thorny issue on online privacy, technology giants Microsoft and Facebook continue to call for stronger consumer protection. They are up to improve their support and also to clarify their stand on the never ending debate concerning this issue. This time, they have introduced new approaches to boost web privacy.
Microsoft has just endorsed the concept of its do-not-track tool to its Web browsing software. Basically, this would allow users to get around those unwanted online behavior monitoring and tracking. Using this tool, the user can stay away from those targeted advertisements. This tool would be integrated in its Internet Explorer browser, as shown in the technical paper that was presented.
Facebook also presented its draft of a new privacy policy. Having been watched for quite a time, this revelation unveiled its strategy on handling information and advertisements. These are contained under headings such as “your information and how it is used” and “how advertising works”.
Online tracking technologies are becoming more and more intrusive. At the same time, tech companies continue to grapple with online privacy concerns. There are continuing attempts at simplifying privacy policies. Also, there are numerous proposals to improve online privacy submitted to the Federal Trade Commission. The disparity seems to put the tech in a situation which demands them to choose between consumers and advertisers.
Microsoft has prepared an online anti-tracking tool which would be included in the upcoming Internet Explorer 9. This do-not-track feature was revealed by a Microsoft spokeswoman. She further said that the company hopes to gain broad industry support for this new privacy tool. This is part of a suite of privacy tools developed by Microsoft. This would allow users to create their own lists of companies that they would not block from tracking them.
Following Microsoft’s move is Facebook Incorporated. According to its privacy and product counsel Edward Palmieri, the company has a new draft of start-up privacy policy. He said Facebook would always be true to its promise to its consumers. This would not exclude consumers from experiencing Facebook the way it is designed, even up to its privacy policies.
Facebook’s customers can expect for a better privacy policy which addresses both users’ and regulators’ concerns about privacy. The company is trying to consolidate its privacy settings into a control panel. This will make it easier for users to adjust the settings according to how their information would be shared.
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