FTC chairman to talk online privacy

Federal Trade Commission chairman Jon Leibowitz will discuss the implications of tracking consumers online during a panel discussion with consumer and privacy groups at the National Press Club on Tuesday morning.

Online tracking has become a hot issue on the Hill over the past year, as privacy advocates have increasingly campaigned against behavioral advertising and other forms of online targeting that use consumers' browsing habits to inform marketing materials.

Consumer groups argue Internet users should be allowed to opt-out of having their actions tracked online, and the FTC has warned browser manufacturers that if they don't develop voluntary methods to accomplish that goal, new federal regulations may result.

Jonathan Mayer of the Stanford Security Lab will present a paper arguing the online tracking is not anonymous as Web firms often claim it is. Also appearing will be Christian Fjeld, senior counsel for the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.

The discussion is sponsored by the ACLU, Center for Digital Democracy, Consumer Action, Consumer Federation of America, Consumers Union, Consumer Watchdog, Electronic Privacy Information Center, Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, US PIRG and World Privacy Forum.

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