Lawmakers urge FTC to investigate 'supercookies'

Reps. Joe Barton (R-Texas) and Edward Markey (D-Mass.) urged the Federal Trade Commission on Tuesday to investigate "supercookies."

The Wall Street Journal first reported last month that websites including MSN and Hulu were installing tools on users' computers that continued to track their activities online even after traditional tracking files, known as "cookies," were deleted.

In their letter to FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz, the lawmakers called supercookies "unacceptable."

"We believe the usage of supercookies takes away consumer control over their own personal information, presents a greater opportunity for the misuse of personal information, and provides another way for consumers to be tracked online," the lawmakers wrote.

They said the FTC should investigate supercookies as part of its authority to protect Americans from "unfair and deceptive acts or practices."

“I think supercookies should be outlawed because their existence eats away at consumer choice and privacy,” Barton said in a statement. “How can you protect yourself from unwanted online tracking or your browsing history when you don’t even know your information is at risk?"

"Consumers, not corporations, should have the choice about if, how or when their personal information is used," said Markey. "I will continue to closely follow this issue and look forward to the FTC's response.”

Barton and Markey are the co-chairmen of the Congressional Bi-Partisan Privacy Caucus.

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