Friday, May 20, 2011
Very important information is collected from users through online tracking. A considerable amount of data gathered could be used by companies that do target advertising and strategic marketing approaches could surely enhance revenues of these companies. In the past, data compilation was done through surveys of readers' preferences and applications. Online tracking as a marketing "tool" evolved as modern technology developed and grew. Today, marketing firms effortlessly accumulate data by just keeping an "eye" on a user's online behavior.
In its earlier days, online data collection from users seemed innocent. Privacy issues began to emerge as more and more internet marketing companies made use of such approaches. Retaining privacy on the web became more and more complicated. A user's online behavior is left exposed, making him or her "target" for internet advertising companies. Claims of unlawful intrusiveness by internet data gradually became commonplace. Users questioned whether such techniques could be considered legal. Others contend that such actions are violations of individual privacy.
User data that goes online holds crucial information with vast marketing potentials. As a whole, this contains not only the user's data but also that of his or her friends, linkages, locations, and influences. With just some minimal manipulations, this could divulge not only what the individual user wants but also those of his or her contacts. In general, there are many possibilities of abusing this data.
By placing cookies on the computers of users who visit the website, user information can be collected. The use of cookies is prevalent and common. One report says that out of the 100 most popular websites examined, more than 50 percent used cookies. Cookies facilitate internet use, especially on those sites that are visited on a regular basis. Cookies help in saving individual user preferences so the user does not have to go through a repetitive procedure each time he or she opens the sites.
The position of the Federal Trade Commission is that behavioral marketing should be self-regulated in order to avoid privacy violation claims. It requires that website owners should not fail to disclose behavioral targeting techniques in a clear and conspicuous manner. There were some website owners who were prosecuted due to violations of Section 5(a) of the Federal Trade Commission Act.
In its earlier days, online data collection from users seemed innocent. Privacy issues began to emerge as more and more internet marketing companies made use of such approaches. Retaining privacy on the web became more and more complicated. A user's online behavior is left exposed, making him or her "target" for internet advertising companies. Claims of unlawful intrusiveness by internet data gradually became commonplace. Users questioned whether such techniques could be considered legal. Others contend that such actions are violations of individual privacy.
User data that goes online holds crucial information with vast marketing potentials. As a whole, this contains not only the user's data but also that of his or her friends, linkages, locations, and influences. With just some minimal manipulations, this could divulge not only what the individual user wants but also those of his or her contacts. In general, there are many possibilities of abusing this data.
By placing cookies on the computers of users who visit the website, user information can be collected. The use of cookies is prevalent and common. One report says that out of the 100 most popular websites examined, more than 50 percent used cookies. Cookies facilitate internet use, especially on those sites that are visited on a regular basis. Cookies help in saving individual user preferences so the user does not have to go through a repetitive procedure each time he or she opens the sites.
The position of the Federal Trade Commission is that behavioral marketing should be self-regulated in order to avoid privacy violation claims. It requires that website owners should not fail to disclose behavioral targeting techniques in a clear and conspicuous manner. There were some website owners who were prosecuted due to violations of Section 5(a) of the Federal Trade Commission Act.
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