Measure Would Give Consumers More Control Over Web Tracking

Senate Commerce Consumer Protection Subcommittee Chairman Mark Pryor (D-AR) is working on legislation aimed at giving consumers more control over whether their activities will be tracked on the Internet.

The measure could include creation of a "do-not-track" list, allowing consumers to opt-out of having their Web activities tracked for advertising purposes, although Sen Pryor said that he is still figuring out "how it would really work." Such a list would be similar to the current Do Not Call registry that allows consumers to opt-out of receiving most unwanted telemarketing calls. Chairman Pryor said he is still drafting the measure and talking with stakeholders about it. He also said he still hasn't decided whether it would be part of a broader privacy bill or a stand-alone measure.