Yahoo! Announces New Privacy Choice for Consumers

Will Expand Its Opt-Out Policy to Customized Advertising on Yahoo.com

Today Yahoo! Inc. announced that it will offer users greater choice in how they manage their privacy online by enabling them to opt-out of customized advertising on Yahoo.com. This new option expands Yahoo!’s existing opt-out program for customized advertising served by Yahoo! on third party networks.

Yahoo! announced the new opt-out capability as part of its response to a Congressional inquiry about customization sent to 33 companies from the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Yahoo!’s full response to the letter from Congressman Dingell is attached below.

Anne Toth, head of privacy and VP for policy, said, “Yahoo! understands the trust of our users is our greatest asset, so we strive to create the most trusted, compelling online experience.”

“Yahoo! strongly believes that consumers want choice when customizing their online experience and they have also demonstrated a strong preference for advertising that is more personally relevant to them,” continued Toth. “However, we understand that there are some users who prefer not to receive customized advertising and this opt-out will offer them even greater choice.”

This new opt-out capability is expected to be available for consumers by the end of August. Users will be able to access the opt-out in the Yahoo! privacy center, which is linked on the home page and nearly every page on the Yahoo! network. Users will also be able to access the opt-out through a link in the public service advertising campaign Yahoo! has been running with online ads across its network to educate users about customized advertising.

Yahoo! chiefs blasted by congress

The House of Representatives foreign affairs committee has severely criticised Yahoo! for giving the Chinese government information which led to the arrest of journalist Shi Tao.

Furthermore, Yahoo! then went on to lie to congress about its actions during the affair, the committee said. Yahoo! chief executive Jerry Yang and general counsel Michael Callahan were both berated by the chairman of the committee, California Democrat Representative Tom Lantos.

He criticised Yahoo! for not making more efforts to aid the family of Shi Tao, who has been sentenced to ten years in prison for forwarding information about China's ban on reporting the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown. Rep Lantos said: "Why is it such a complicated issue to help a family whose breadwinner is in prison because of Yahoo's cooperation?

"While technologically and financially you are giants, morally you are pygmies." The two executives were then made to apologise to Shi Tao's mother, who was present at the hearing.

Permanent ban on Internet taxes urged by eBay

The internet auction giant eBay has urged Congress to pass a permanent ban on Internet taxes. Without such a ban, fewer businesses will want to sell their goods and services over the Internet, eBay warned. Congress enacted a temporary ban on Internet taxes in 1998, which was renewed again in 2004. However, that ends on November 1st this year.

Brian Bieron, eBay's senior director of federal government relations, told the Associated Press: "More importantly, fewer consumers will use the internet. "And, for the small businesses using the internet, that means fewer sales and less opportunity to compete with the mega retailers." The Internet is a "lifeline" for many of these smaller businesses, Mr Bieron added.

Last month a trio of US senators also called on Congress to pass a permanent ban on Internet taxes. Among them was Arizona senator John McCain, who is bidding to be the Republican presidential nominee.

Senate Will Discuss Rural Broadband Access

A number of communications experts have told Congressional staffers bringing broadband access and and Internet service to rural America is key to effective rural economic development.

In a Washington, D.C. meeting sponsored by the National Grange and the Grange Foundation, National Grange President William Steel told attendees, "A keystone infrastructure for rural communities in the 21st Century will be access to advanced telecommunications services like broadband and the Internet."

He then called for Congress to implement a basic rural telecommunications plan that deploys universal rural broadband for all citizens.

While the U.S. House version of the new Farm Bill, passed recently, did not address rural communication issues, broadband access is expected to be included in the Senate version of the legislation to be debated in the coming weeks.

Rural residents, regardless if they farm or not, can comment on the rural broadband access provisions to their U.S. Senators at www.congress.org.