Today, the W3C formally created a working group to focus on consumer privacy on the Internet. image

Internet Explorer 9 was built with a focus on consumer privacy. As Dean Hachamovitch explained in the blog introducing Tracking Protection a comprehensive approach requires both a) The ability for Web sites to detect consumers intent not to be tracked and b) A mechanism for consumers to protect themselves when their intent is not respected. Since the announcement, numerous privacy organizations have begun offering Tracking Protection Lists.

We saw the opportunity to work together with the W3C and its members to create a common standard, improve site adoption and increase consumer privacy on the Internet. In late February, the W3C accepted and published Microsoft’s member submission for an industry standard. Today, with the formation of the new privacy working group, the W3C takes the next step in establishing a standard for web sites to detect when consumers express their intent not to be tracked and help protect those same consumers from sites that do not respect that intent. The full charter and details of the working group are available here.

We look forward to working with the members of the W3C on this important initiative.

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