1 Ski Boot Ski Gear

Online tracking is used to accumulate very important information from web users. Data gathered could be used by companies that do target advertising and effective marketing strategies could surely increase revenues of these companies. It used to be that data gathering was done through surveys of readers’ preferences and applications. Online tracking was born as advanced technology developed and flourished. Today, marketing firms assemble data effortlessly by just monitoring a user’s online “movements”.

As a new tool that was evolving, online data collection from users seemed harmless. Privacy issues started to come out as more and more internet marketing companies adopted such practices. Keeping one’s online privacy on the web became less and less possible. A user’s online protection is left to chance, making him or her easy “target” for internet advertising companies. Claims of unauthorized use of user internet data steadily became ordinary and critics questioned if such practices are legal. Others argue that such actions are a clear abuse of individual privacy.

User data that is uploaded holds so much important information with extensive marketing potentials. As a whole, these contain the user’s data and those of his or her friends, linkages, locations, and influences. With some transformations, these could tell not only what the individual user wants but also the wants of his or her friends. Abuse of personal data becomes a never ending possibility.

User information is collected by placing cookies on the computers of users who visit the website. The use of cookies is widespread. In one report, it is said that out of the 100 most popular websites examined, more than 50 percent used cookies. Cookies make internet use more convenient, especially for those sites that are often visited by the user. Cookies help in saving individual user preferences so he or she does not have to go through a repetitive process.

Companies that use behavioral marketing should self-regulate to avoid claims of privacy violation. The Federal Trade Commission recommends that this should be put into law. Websites should have full disclosure of the company’s behavioral targeting strategies. Under Federal Trade Commission Act Section 5(a), there were some website owners who were prosecuted due to violations.

If you are at all worried about your online identity or your Internet privacy, you might consider using an Anonymous Proxy to defend yourself from web-based behavioral tracking. Try our PrivateProxy for free and start defending yourself right now!

Helpful Articles