What a tangled Web

Regulations on the horizon that focus on how Internet retailers gather information from consumers have caused trade groups to try to beat rule-makers to the punch.

Don't be surprised to soon see an icon on certain Web pages notifying you that your activity is being tracked, according to a recent piece in the Wall Street Journal. When clicked, the icon would tell you what information the retailer gathers and which companies it shares the information with, according to the article.

Sites could also include a feature to allow Web surfers to decline having their information gathered. If I were designing the feature I would call it the "no-brainer" button.

Not suprisingly, one ad agency managing director told the Journal that limiting access to consumers' information would make it less likely that a marketer "can provide more timely, relevant and targeted ads to consumers."

I guess that's up to you, the consumer, whether that's a good or bad thing. I know what way I'll be clicking.

Brian.