Skip to main content

Congress Looks Into Ad Tracking

Congress Looks Into Ad Tracking

Members of the U.S. Congress have begun questioning how some of the most widely-trafficked Internet companies and sites keep track of their users’ online behavior in an effort to target advertising based on search terms, site usage, and other parameters. The requests have been sent to more than 30 Internet companies, including major names like Google, Microsoft, Verizon, Comcast, Time Warner, and AT&T.

The rising concern over online behavioral tracking comes with the increasing use of a set of techniques called Deep Packet Inspection (DPI), which basically amounts to keeping track of what sites a particular Internet user visits, how long they spend there, what links they follow, what significant terms appear on those pages, along with things like queries sent to search engines, and even data entered into forms. Although some of the controversy has centered around appliances from NebuAd, similar techniques are used by Google and other Internet advertising companies in an effort to deliver more relevant ads to Internet users—the idea is that if the ads on a page are a closer match to things the user has been interested in, the more likely the ads will be effective.

Recommended Videos

Of course, behavioral advertising brings with it a raft of privacy concerns: although almost all practitioners say the data they collect cannot be associated with individual Internet users—and NebuAd, at least, enables users to opt out of its system—the congressional committees on Energy and Commerce have asked a broad swath of Internet companies to describe their practices in detail and explain how they protect potentially sensitive information—like health and financial information—from misuse and abuse.

In a statement, Massachusetts Congressman Ed Markey (Dem) wrote: [The] sweeping ability to collect, analyze, and profile how individuals use their broadband connection raises clear privacy issues, and I believe such activity should occur only with the express prior consent of individual citizens. In addition, individual websites and search engines and their affiliates that monitor users also owe consumers constructive notice of such activities and the right to limit or thwart any personal data collection.”

The online advertising industry is likely to aver that no federal intervention is necessary and that the industry will be able to regulate itself through broadly agreed-upon best practices. However, the European Union has long been examining the role of online user tracking, and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission has also examined the practice, although it seems content to let the industry police itself.

Geoff Duncan
Former Contributor
Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…
Presidents Day Sales 2023: Tracking the deals as they start

The holiday sales are over and the new year has arrived, so if you're looking forward to the next big retail event, then the 2023 Presidents Day sales are your best bet. This is one of the few major holidays to land in the first quarter of the year, with Presidents Day deals covering everything from electronics to home essentials. Whether Santa didn't bring you one of the gifts you wanted or you still have some Christmas money burning a hole in your wallet, then now's the time to start readying your shopping list for the upcoming Presidents Day sales -- and we're tracking the best deals as they emerge, starting today.
Presidents Day sales that have already started

Amazon: Savings across a variety of different categories, including laptops.
Casper: Save up to $940 on select mattresses and up to 60% on bedding.
Dell: Massive discounts on laptops, monitors, and smart home.
Dyson: As much as $200 off Dyson vacuum cleaners and fans.
Home Depot: 30% off select mattresses and bedroom furniture.
HP: Up to 55% off laptops, monitors, and printers.
Leesa: Price cuts of up to $375 on best-selling mattresses.
Lowe’s: Up to 40% off appliances like refrigerators and washer-dryers.
Nectar: Discounts and $300 worth of free goodies with every mattress.
Overstock: An extra 15% off select bedroom and living room furniture.
Staples: 40% off chairs and furniture, including filing cabinets and desks.
Target: Up to 25% off home decor, including furniture and lighting.
Tempur-Pedic: Save up to $500 on select mattress sets.
Tuft & Needle: 10% off sitewide and up to 15% off mattresses.

Read more
Ninja Black Friday: Tracking the latest blender and air fryer deals
A woman roasts a chicken and air-fries French fries in the dual baskets of the Ninja Foodi DZ401 DualZone XL Air Fryer.

The best Black Friday deals are a great time to update your kitchen with some fancy new appliances. We're finding a lot of great Best Buy Black Friday deals on Ninja products right now. There are great deals on the Ninja toaster ovens, blenders, ice cream makers, and of course dozens of great Black Friday air fryer deals. Here are our favorite deals on Ninja brand kitchen appliances that you can shop right now.
Top 5 Ninja Black Friday Deals
Ninja Mega Kitchen System 72-ounce blender -- $100, was $200

We named the Ninja Mega Kitchen System the "most versatile blender" on our list of the best blenders of 2022. That's because it has several different cup sizes available, and functions as both a food processor and a blender. You can make mini personal smoothies with the single-serve cup, cut up to 64 ounces of veggies in a rounded bowl, or make smoothies for the whole house with the large 72-ounce cup. It even mixes dough!

Read more
What I learned after tracking my home’s air quality for a week
The AirThings View Plus is an indoor air quality monitor.

I set up the AirThings View Plus in my office more than a week ago to measure the indoor air quality and to test whether differing conditions impacted my workflow. I learned several things -- some surprising, some not so much -- about air quality in the home and how it can be improved.

Does everyone need an air quality sensor? Probably not, but if you just don't feel right or you're afraid your air quality is affecting your work performance, a sensor like the View Plus can help.

Read more