Two advocacy groups has delivered a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission, regarding online advertising and the alleged fact that it is violating consumer privacy. This according to the Washington Post, who quotes the complaint like this:
“Our online travels are increasingly becoming part of vast databases that comprise the source material for sophisticated analytical engines designed solely to make us more susceptible to online marketing,” the complaint said.
Now, analyzing behavior and demographic data is nothing new in the advertising business, even pre-Internet, so one would have to assume that the complaint is pinpointing methods used by ad networks and major websites. I can’€™t really say that it’€™s a bad thing since I’€™d rather see an interesting ad, than one aimed at someone else. Still, it’€™s a thin line to cross.
Read more over at the Washington Post.
