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Web-Tracking Vs. Privacy

The New York Times ran a front-page story today about how companies are collecting massive amounts of data about what people search for on the Internet, and the pages they visit, so they can target them with specific advertisements. Yahoo alone is collecting data more than 2,500 times per month for each user, on average.

Privacy advocates have raised "Big Brother" concerns about this practice, while the companies say those fears are misplaced because they have measures to protect the user's name and personal information, and the practice is a boon to consumers because it will put relevant ads in front of their eyes.

It is certainly more than a two-sided issue, but I can't help but get an eerie feeling knowing that every time I click on a web page, that information is being logged in a computer somewhere. What do you think?[poll id=22]Want to get in on this discussion? Leave your thoughts in our comments section.
Have a workplace ethics dilemma? Ask it here, or email wherestheline (at) gmail.com


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