Ahead of tomorrow's release of Microsoft's flagship product Windows 8, Yahoo and a host of advertisers have expressed their distaste for the implemented policy of "Do Not Track" which has been controversially pre-set on Microsoft's new browser Internet Explorer 10.
"DNT" has created such controversy amongst advertisers because it prevents their content targeting consumers that browse across particular pages. Per multiple sources, Microsoft's predetermined DNT policy could prevent companies from collecting data on up to 43 % of U.S browsers.
According to PC Advisor:
With marketers livid that what was once the world's most commonly-used browser (and still default for millions) is seemingly against them, the ensuing backlash against Microsoft's decision has been huge.
According to The Drum:
Many, including Yahoo, believe they are well within their rights to air their displeasure, particularly as advertisers spend approximately $2.8 billion a year via Microsoft.
The Association of National
Advertisers open letter to the desk of the Microsoft CEO claims that automated Do Not Track will "undercut
the effectiveness of our members" and "harm consumers, hurt competition, and undermine American innovation and leadership in the Internet economy."
Yahoo are publicly leading the dissent with this post on their policy blog.
Essentially, this is the classic debate over public privacy and the debate to who owns it. Or in this case - can harness it.
Brendon Lynch, Microsoft’s chief privacy officer, said research of computer users in the United States and Europe showed 75% wanted Microsoft to turn ON the DNT feature.
"Consumers want and expect strong privacy protection to be built into Microsoft products and services," Lynch said.
Microsoft suggests that savvy consumers can always turn DNT off and adds, "There needs to be an easy and effective way for responsible advertisers and ad networks to inform consumers and obtain persistent consent for their services even if the DNT signal is turned on."
"DNT" has created such controversy amongst advertisers because it prevents their content targeting consumers that browse across particular pages. Per multiple sources, Microsoft's predetermined DNT policy could prevent companies from collecting data on up to 43 % of U.S browsers.
According to PC Advisor:
Four of the five major browsers -- Firefox, IE, Opera and Safari -- can now send a DNT signal, while Chrome will include the option by the end of this year. All but IE, however, initially leave it in the "off" position and require users to manually turn on the signal.
With marketers livid that what was once the world's most commonly-used browser (and still default for millions) is seemingly against them, the ensuing backlash against Microsoft's decision has been huge.
According to The Drum:
'Chief marketing officers of Procter & Gamble, Walmart, Ford, Verizon, Coca Cola, Unilever, American Express, Kraft, and 30 other companies have signed a letter to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer' voicing their frustration.
Many, including Yahoo, believe they are well within their rights to air their displeasure, particularly as advertisers spend approximately $2.8 billion a year via Microsoft.
“Microsoft’s action is wrong. The entire media ecosystem has condemned this action. In the face of this opposition and the reality of the harm that your actions could create, it is time to realign with the broader business community by providing choice through a default of ‘off’ on your browser’s ‘Do Not Track’ setting.”
- Association of National Advertisers to Microsoft
Yahoo are publicly leading the dissent with this post on their policy blog.
"In principle, we support DNT...recently, Microsoft unilaterally decided to turn on DNT in Internet Explorer 10 by default, rather than at users’ direction. In our view, this degrades the experience for the majority of users and makes it hard to deliver on our value proposition to them. It basically means that the DNT signal from IE10 doesn’t express user intent."
Essentially, this is the classic debate over public privacy and the debate to who owns it. Or in this case - can harness it. Brendon Lynch, Microsoft’s chief privacy officer, said research of computer users in the United States and Europe showed 75% wanted Microsoft to turn ON the DNT feature.
"Consumers want and expect strong privacy protection to be built into Microsoft products and services," Lynch said.
Microsoft suggests that savvy consumers can always turn DNT off and adds, "There needs to be an easy and effective way for responsible advertisers and ad networks to inform consumers and obtain persistent consent for their services even if the DNT signal is turned on."
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