Online Privacy: Can it ever really exist?
Posted: April 2nd, 2008
By: Zach Heller
Category: Opinion Corner, Technology Corner, The News Beat

In yesterday’s issue of the New York Law Journal, there was an article that caught my eye.  As someone who has spent a good amount of time analyzing internet based laws and legal issues, the headline “Law Would Restrict Internet Use-Based Ads” could not have gone unnoticed.  In fact, reading the article got me so fired up that I knew I had to make mention of it here.

The basic issue being discussed is a new bill proposed that would restrict the use of new behavioral advertising technology online.  Behavioral advertising is the process by which online advertisers can target users based on internet use and activity.  Meaning, they keep track of what you search for and what you look at, then deliver ads that are more pertinent to your perceived interests.  It is quite fascinating.

At the same time, it constantly brings up privacy concerns from people who are unfamiliar with the fact that almost everything you do online is traceable.  The new bill, proposed by New York Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, flies in the face of third party advertisers and all the money they have spent perfecting this use-based technology.  It is certainly an issue that will come up again and again, as the internet becomes a vital role in all of our lives.

The question really is, when you are in the privacy of your own home or at your own “private” computer, but in the “public” world of the internet, where is the privacy line drawn.  The internet is a public domain, with no regulating body, and therefore law makers will have a difficult time restricting the amount of data collection that is taking place.  

I would love to hear some different legal opinions on this issue, so if you have a particular stance please comment below.

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