WebProNews

Americans Anxious Over Online Privacy

The majority of Americans are concerned about what is being done with their personal information online according to a new poll from Consumer Reports.The poll found that 82 percent of people are concerned about their credit card numbers being stolen online, while 72 percent are concerned that their online activity is being tracked and profiled by companies.

Yahoo Offers Users Better Privacy Options

Yahoo said today that it will allow users to better manage their privacy online by allowing them to opt-out of customized advertising on the site.The new opt-out feature is part of Yahoo's response to a Congressional inquiry about customization sent to 33 Internet asking for details about targeted advertising and how they collect and store information on users.

US Senate's Response To Online Privacy Laws For Advertising

The US Senate is holding a series of hearings on online advertising, behavioral targeting and privacy to determine whether they should consider legislation protecting consumers online in these areas. The Senate has turned to Google, Microsoft, the FTC, Facebook, privacy watchdogs and others for their opinions in the matter. Some, like Google, welcomed a “comprehensive privacy law that would establish a uniform framework for privacy and procedures to punish bad actors.”

UK Govt. To Store Every Email And Text Message

The UK government is considering creating a huge database that would hold all the details of emails, phone calls and text messages of it residents in an effort to guard against crime and terrorismCurrently, records of phone calls and text messages are stored up to 12 months by telecom companies in accordance with a EU anti-terrorism directive.A new Home Office (Interior Ministry) proposal would require Internet service providers (ISPs) and telecoms to turn over records of emails, Internet usage and voice over Internet calls.

Shoppers Should Read Online Privacy Policies

The New York Public Interest Research Group has released a report on online shopping privacy policies detailing how online retailers protect customer's identity.

Facebook Wasn't Ready For Freddi

Forty-one percent of Facebook users are willing to share their personal information, such as email address, date of birth and phone number with a stranger, increasing their risk of identity theft according to new research from IT security company Sophos.