Post #2 Internet/browser Tracking

Internet Tracking

 
           

Web Cookies, are a method of collecting user data. Cookies are basically a parcel of text sent by a server to a Web browser and then sent back unchanged by the browser each time it accesses that server. Things like your shopping carts and type of websites visited are kept track of and solid to advertising companies. Internet browsers and online companies use this information use this information for marketing schemes. It was mention in another class mates blog that Google recently change its privacy statement so that it lets users know that Google will be selling internet activity to third parties. Many ethical issue arise form internet tracking. Is it the user ethical responsibility to know how and when its being track or is it the companies ethical responsibility. looking at this from a contract based theory is a good idea because most sites you visited and organizations your involved with have some sort of privacy statement telling the user how the organization handles data and if it not mentioned in the article there should be some policy that companies violate and should be reprimanded for. Third party cookies, however, pose a higher threat to security and often come from banner ad services that track a user’s moves throughout the Internet, presenting ads and other information based on what it determines your interests may be. (Spanbauer). I think policies should be developed the protect the user more and puts ethical responsibility more on the companies. Many people don't realize that their privacy on the internet isn't what they believe it to be. If you chose to be monitored maybe as a user you should get some sort of compensation for giving up some of your privacy like if a particular company watches your internet activity maybe they could offer you special deals on products which in the end will help the company even more do to a possibility of increased sales. So next time your surfing remember some one is watching you. Here are three article I found that were interesting to me.

 http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ethics-search/

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204880404577225380456599176.html
http://www.ethicalinvestigator.com/internet/