GNG News Guy
05-29-2008, 10:00 AM
http://i.dslr.net/urls/31/2531.gif (http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Centurytel-Finally-Tells-Users-Their-Browsing-Historys-For-Sale-94829)
Louisiana-based DSL provider CenturyTel (http://www.thegng.org/reviews/1519) was one of the first ISPs I'd heard was tinkering with NebuAD's behavioral advertising technology. As I explored in discussions with NebuAD's CEO (http://www.thegng.org/shownews/91797), ISPs track and sell user browsing data to NebuAD, so that NebuAD can provide customers with more tailored ads. Most ISPs have been burying their use of such systems in their privacy policies and fine print.
Though I know CenturyTel has been tinkering with NebuAD for much of the past year in a trial capacity, they're only now telling customers ahead of a broader launch. A CenturyTel insider tells me they're estimating an official launch in July, but there's still some internal debate over whether they should. From an e-mail being sent to CenturyTel customers this week:CenturyTel continually looks for ways to improve your overall online experience. In that regard, we have enhanced our High-Speed Internet service by working with partners to provide targeted, online advertising for your convenience and benefit. Targeted, online advertising minimizes irrelevant or unwanted ads that clutter your Web pages. If you do not wish to receive targeted, online advertisements, or if you would simply like more information about CenturyTel's use of online advertising, third-party ad servers and the measures you can take to protect your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy by visiting here (http://www.centurytel.com/Pages/PrivacyPolicy/#adv).
As I discussed last week (http://www.thegng.org/shownews/94578), ISP lawyers apparently think that if they promote the sale of your data as an "enhanced experience," they can skirt privacy laws that require a more comprehensive opt-out system. As I've noted, NebuAD's current opt-out system only keeps you from receiving targeted ads, it doesn't prevent you from having your browsing activity tracked and sold.
read comment(s) (http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Centurytel-Finally-Tells-Users-Their-Browsing-Historys-For-Sale-94829)
Louisiana-based DSL provider CenturyTel (http://www.thegng.org/reviews/1519) was one of the first ISPs I'd heard was tinkering with NebuAD's behavioral advertising technology. As I explored in discussions with NebuAD's CEO (http://www.thegng.org/shownews/91797), ISPs track and sell user browsing data to NebuAD, so that NebuAD can provide customers with more tailored ads. Most ISPs have been burying their use of such systems in their privacy policies and fine print.
Though I know CenturyTel has been tinkering with NebuAD for much of the past year in a trial capacity, they're only now telling customers ahead of a broader launch. A CenturyTel insider tells me they're estimating an official launch in July, but there's still some internal debate over whether they should. From an e-mail being sent to CenturyTel customers this week:CenturyTel continually looks for ways to improve your overall online experience. In that regard, we have enhanced our High-Speed Internet service by working with partners to provide targeted, online advertising for your convenience and benefit. Targeted, online advertising minimizes irrelevant or unwanted ads that clutter your Web pages. If you do not wish to receive targeted, online advertisements, or if you would simply like more information about CenturyTel's use of online advertising, third-party ad servers and the measures you can take to protect your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy by visiting here (http://www.centurytel.com/Pages/PrivacyPolicy/#adv).
As I discussed last week (http://www.thegng.org/shownews/94578), ISP lawyers apparently think that if they promote the sale of your data as an "enhanced experience," they can skirt privacy laws that require a more comprehensive opt-out system. As I've noted, NebuAD's current opt-out system only keeps you from receiving targeted ads, it doesn't prevent you from having your browsing activity tracked and sold.
read comment(s) (http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Centurytel-Finally-Tells-Users-Their-Browsing-Historys-For-Sale-94829)