IE10 Will Have 'Do Not Track' On By Default 181
An anonymous reader writes "As Microsoft released the preview of the next version of its Internet Explorer browser, news that in Windows 8 the browser will be sending a 'Do Not Track' signal to Web sites by default must have shaken online advertising giants. 'Consumers can change this default setting if they choose,' Microsoft noted, but added that this decision reflects their commitment to providing Windows customers an experience that is 'private by default' in an era when so much user data is collected online.' This step will make Internet Explorer 10 the first web browser with DNT on by default. And while the websites are not required to comply with the users' do-not-track request, the DNT initiative — started by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission — is making good progress."
Re:OK but... (Score:5, Interesting)
Ask my family on how that one worked out.
The Real Question (Score:5, Interesting)
Will the next version of Windows be the first in decades to not collect personally identifiable information from every user, by way of activation and other control schemes?
It might make the marketeers feel all good inside to spout platitudes like "private by default' in an era when so much user data is collected online," but let MS apply the same sacrosanct wisdom to its own practise.
Re:This is a direct assault on Google's revenue (Score:5, Interesting)
Yes, this is an attack on Google, and has little to do with being "pro-consumer". In fact, I would consider it "anti-consumer", since non-paranoid people benefit from tracking, because it means the ads they are going to see anyway are tailored to their actual interests. I have no interest in turning off tracking, and want ad agencies to have as much information about me and my interests as I can give them.
Just in case Google is parsing this post: I will be buying a new mini-van later this summer.