Venable partner Stu Ingis was quoted in a June 1, 2012 Adweek article on Microsoft’s new Do Not Track default browser. In the recent release of Window 8, Microsoft included in Internet Explorer 10 a Do Not Track option defaulted to “on” which would require consumers to opt-in to targeted advertising. For over a year, the Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA) has been working on a self-regulatory system allowing consumers to opt-out of targeted advertising.
Commenting on Microsoft’s decision, Ingis, who serves as general counsel for the DAA, said, “Our commitment we made to the White House, the FTC and the public was that we would adhere to a default opt-out standard and we're in the process of figuring out the details…Microsoft's move isn't reflecting consumer choice, it's one browser company making a unilateral decision that is not good for consumers.” Ingis added that Microsoft’s browser option may backfire saying, “In my view, most websites will ignore it. They aren't going to put themselves out of business…We've had this policy debate 15 times and every time the debate happens, the default has been opt-out. Even 'Do Not Call' is an opt-out, so it's clear what national policy is.”
Commenting on Microsoft’s decision, Ingis, who serves as general counsel for the DAA, said, “Our commitment we made to the White House, the FTC and the public was that we would adhere to a default opt-out standard and we're in the process of figuring out the details…Microsoft's move isn't reflecting consumer choice, it's one browser company making a unilateral decision that is not good for consumers.” Ingis added that Microsoft’s browser option may backfire saying, “In my view, most websites will ignore it. They aren't going to put themselves out of business…We've had this policy debate 15 times and every time the debate happens, the default has been opt-out. Even 'Do Not Call' is an opt-out, so it's clear what national policy is.”