Monday, Mar 31

Web Users Don't Like Being Watched

According to MediaPost, Web users these days know that they are being watched, and they're not happy about it. Truste, a nonprofit privacy organization, apparently has released a new study that examines consumer attitudes toward behavioral targeting and privacy. Here are some results quoted from the article:

- Nearly three out of four people, or 71%, said they realize that companies track their Web browsing activity for purposes of sending them targeted ads.

- 57% said they are not comfortable with the practice, even when their browsing history can't be linked to their names.

- 72% of Web users also told researchers they find irrelevant ads "intrusive and annoying," even though one of the key strategies for improving ad relevancy is behavioral targeting, which means tracking users so that they can receive relevant ads.

"The study has unearthed some basic contradictions," said Dave Morgan, founder of behavioral targeting company Tacoda and a former ad executive at AOL, in the report. "The vast majority of consumers do not like irrelevant ads."

Nonetheless, 55% percent said they would take an anonymous survey in order to limit ads to the products, services or brands they use, while 37% said they would be willing to provide personal contact information with a survey, the article said. This is only going to get worse as more cell phones implement browser cookies and include built-in GPS radios, incidentally.


new on mediabistro.com

How to Write an Arts and Culture Review

Learn everything you need to know to write a smart, publishable review of music, film, books, theater or any other arts and culture topic.
Watch the video

Email This Post

Fill out the following information and click on the Send button in order to send this post, Web Users Don't Like Being Watched, to a friend.
Friend's name
Friend's email address
Your name
Your email address
Note to your friend (optional, max 200 Characters)

Read more on MobileContentToday >

All the Mobile News That Fits...in Your Hand
MobileContentToday in Your Inbox
Mobile Version
RSS Feed
Our Blog Network

BayNewser

WebNewser

TVNewser

PRNewser

MediaJobsDaily

FishbowlNY

FishbowlDC

FishbowlLA

AgencySpy

GalleyCat

UnBeige

MobileContentToday

MobileContentToday

Editor:

Todd Ogasawara

Topics

About

About Us - Modules

About Us - Subheader Module

Android

Apple

AT&T

BlackBerry

Data Services

eBooks

GPS, Maps, and Directions

Handsets

Hardware

Internet Radio

iPhone

Job Postings

Management Changes

Media Deals

Messaging

Mobile

Mobile Advertising

Mobile Commerce

Mobile Content

Mobile Games

Mobile Marketing

Mobile Music

Mobile Video

Mobile Web

Motorola

MVNOs

Netbooks

Networks

Nokia

Online Video

Palm

Pandora Radio

Photo Sharing

Portals

Security

Social Networking

Software

Sony

Sprint

T-Mobile

Tips and Tricks

Verizon

Virgin Mobile

Voice Plans

Windows Mobile

Archives

November 2009

October 2009

September 2009

August 2009

more...

Job Listings

Featured Listings

Managing Director
Pro-Media Communications
New York, NY

Art Director
5280 Magazine
Denver, CO

Reporting and Data Analyst
Varick Media Management
New York, NY


mediabistro.com l Member Benefits l Jobs l Freelance Marketplace l Courses l Events l Forums l Content
mediabistro Blogs: Media News l TVNewser l GalleyCat l UnBeige l FishbowlNY l FishbowlLA l FishbowlDC l PRNewser l AgencySpy
MobileContentToday l WebNewser l BayNewser l MediaJobsDaily l mbToolbox
Site Map l Advertising/Sponsorships l Partners l About Us l Contact Us/Help

internet.commediabistro.comJusttechjobs.comGraphics.com

Search:

WebMediaBrands Corporate Info

Legal Notices, Licensing, Reprints, Permissions, Privacy Policy.
Advertise | Newsletters | Shopping | E-mail Offers