Blown To Bits

A Massachusetts privacy-in-surfing bill

Wednesday, July 9th, 2008 by Harry Lewis
For order diclofenac example, the dendrites only occur at the tips of the cheap cialis overnight delivery axon in unipolar neurons, but multiple dendrites stem from the order betnovate cell body of a multipolar neuron. Neurons are nerve cells cheap flagyl that transfer information around the body, and some types form aldactone part of the CNS. Both the sterol nucleus and hydrocarbon tablet online tail do not mix with water, so this structure cannot generic viagra cheap travel through the bloodstream alone. Because the structure does not colchicine for order mix well with water, proteins combine with cholesterol to form cheapest asacol lipoproteins, allowing them to travel through the bloodstream. Eating certain lowest price for 60 types of foods, managing stress, and maintaining a moderate weight cialis approved can all help support good gut health. Following the procedure, canada tablet a person will likely need to stay in the hospital generic buy cheap for several hours for observation. They will also schedule a follow-up.

A bill is before the Massachusetts legislature that would require web sites to give users the option of not having the records of their visits retained to be used to aid in targeted advertising. I am quoted briefly in the Patriot Ledger story on the bill, which seems unlikely to pass because, well, it’s July and the legislature wants to go on vacation. (See also this State House News Service story.)

I can’t speak to the details of the bill, in which many devils generally lie. It’s hard to argue against requiring an opt-out provision, which is likely not too hard to implement and won’t affect the advertising business model very much since few people ever change the default options on anything. (If you have the option of registering as an organ donor when you renew your drivers license, for example, participation rates vary hugely depending on whether the default is to be a donor or not to be a donor.)

Nonetheless, some of the sweeping statements about this issue are debatable. “It’s really your business what you visit on the internet,” said Rep. Daniel Bosley, speaking in support of the bill. Well, sort of; it’s also the web site’s business decision whether to send you a page when you ask for one. Google is not a public utility, even though it doesn’t require you to register in advance. Disclosure and transparency are good principles, but so are the laws of economics.

Randy Skoglund of the Americans for Technology Leadership, also supporting the bill, says “Most consumers aren’t aware how much info on them there is and how it’s being used. Consumers need to feel safe and protected online.” The first statement is absolutely true; people need to be more aware, and our book and the various disclosure mandates are steps toward educating the public. I am not so sure about the second. Is is the job of the government to make the public feel safe and protected online?

2 Responses to “A Massachusetts privacy-in-surfing bill”

  1. Blown to Bits » Blog Archive » Advertising, opt-in, and opt-out Says:

    […] A Massachusetts privacy-in-surfing bill Archives […]

  2. Bookmarks about Massachusetts Says:

    […] – bookmarked by 3 members originally found by wangingproductions on 2008-12-23 A Massachusetts privacy-in-surfing bill http://www.bitsbook.com/2008/07/a-massachusetts-privacy-in-surfing-bill/ – bookmarked by 2 members […]