Google and Mozilla announced Monday that they will have new privacy features in their browsers that allow users to exert more control over how their information is used by advertisers.
The move follows a recommendation last month from the Federal Trade Commission that a do-not-track feature be implemented in all browsers. Microsoft said last month that its next version of Internet Explorer would have that option.
Google rolled out an extension in its Chrome browser called "Keep My Opt-Outs," which lets users permanently opt out from online behavioral advertising. Google said the feature will not interfere with regular Web use, although opting out of the advertising may cause repeated or less relevant ads. The extension is open-source, meaning developers can tinker with it as well.
Meanwhile, Mozilla announced that it is working on a Do Not Track HTTP header to allow users to better understand and control how their personal information is being used by advertisers.
The header allows Firefox users to let advertisers know that they would like to opt-out of online behavioral advertising. Mozilla's Security and Privacy Engineer, Sid Stamm, wrote on his personal blog that instead of using a hodgepodge of opt-out cookies, the header will transmit a message telling all sites that a user wishes to opt out.
Mozilla spokeswoman Melissa Shapiro said in an e-mail that it's not yet clear when the feature will be incorporated. It may ship with Firefox 4.0, which is currently in beta testing, but that is not certain.
The move follows a recommendation last month from the Federal Trade Commission that a do-not-track feature be implemented in all browsers. Microsoft said last month that its next version of Internet Explorer would have that option. Google rolled out an extension in its Chrome browser called "Keep My Opt-Outs," which lets users permanently opt out from online behavioral advertising. Google said the feature will not interfere with regular Web use, although opting out of the advertising may cause repeated or less relevant ads. The extension is open-source, meaning developers can tinker with it as well.
Meanwhile, Mozilla announced that it is working on a Do Not Track HTTP header to allow users to better understand and control how their personal information is being used by advertisers.
The header allows Firefox users to let advertisers know that they would like to opt-out of online behavioral advertising. Mozilla's Security and Privacy Engineer, Sid Stamm, wrote on his personal blog that instead of using a hodgepodge of opt-out cookies, the header will transmit a message telling all sites that a user wishes to opt out.
Mozilla spokeswoman Melissa Shapiro said in an e-mail that it's not yet clear when the feature will be incorporated. It may ship with Firefox 4.0, which is currently in beta testing, but that is not certain.
