got an e-mail today from Consumers Union advocating for the above legislation. I usually feel pretty comfortable with their recommendations and positions, but when it comes to the internet, I don't always understand the implications.

Here is the e-mail.

Someone is following you around. At least, online they are.

When you go online, you unwittingly give companies lots of information about yourself based on the sites you visit, the searches you run, the movies you watch and more.

Trackers say that online tracking is good because it helps deliver ads that will interest you. That's fine, if that's what you choose. But right now, you can't say "No."

Tracking software has become so sophisticated that you sometimes can't even delete the tracking code using the tools built into your browser. Meanwhile, the tools that let you surf the net privately are often hard to use and ineffective.

It's time to stop the unwanted tracking once and for all!

Although polls show that most of us would prefer more privacy and less tracking, companies that rely on advertising have no incentive to give us the tools we need. And even if they did, no law requires them to abide by our wishes.

That's why Congress is now considering "Do Not Track" legislation to let us all choose not to be tracked and then enforce our preferences. A bill in the Senate would require companies to abide by your Do Not Track choices, while bi-partisan legislation in the House gives parents control over the tracking of kids' activities online.

Do-Not-Track is the simple way for you to say 'no thanks' to being monitored while you surf the web.

Take a moment right now to show your support for Do-Not-Track legislation in Congress.

Do you know others who may be concerned about their privacy when they go online? Please forward this e-mail to them so they can show their support too.

Sincerely,

Jim Guest
President
Consumer Reports
101 Truman Avenue
Yonkers, NY 10703-1057