Readers Sound Off: Online Ads that Like to Watch
A bunch of site visitors have been irked by the results of our news story: "Watch Out for Online Ads That Watch You," which discusses how online marketers can display ads based on your browsing habits.
GrossTyro says that any cookie that leaves his/her PC without consent is a tool for hackers. And the claim that users should police their own cookie acceptance is "fatuous."
"If consumers had that kind of computer literacy, spam and malware would have been wiped out" because knowledgeable people would not have opened dangerous messages and attachments, GrossTyro adds.
Wildbill2u said that opt out functions don't always work or can be confusing. "I found one site (Specific Media) where I was referred by ?[a] link that said 'by using this website, you acknowledge your agreement to Specific Media and/or its affiliates. If you do not agree with the terms, do not use the Web site.' So does that man by going to the site to opt out, I opted in? This is kind of a Catch 22."
Then there is always the argument that online advertising is what keeps content free and this is what the market wants. Lawhoo97 isn't concerned with being watched. "As long as no personal information is attached to the cookie, so what. My credit card company has a bunch more information on than any cookie could provide." But who do you trust more your credit card company or some unknown Web outfit? Come to think of it, Lawhoo97 has a point as well.
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One thing missing from the original story: How to delete your browser's cookies. In Internet Explorer 7, choose Tools, Internet Options, and click Delete in the Browsing history section on the General tab. In Firefox 2, click Tools, Clear Private Data.