Submission Number: 00010 

Received: 12/1/2010 4:49:26 PM
Commenter: Alexander Reis III
Organization: Hyundai Research Institute
State: Washington
Agency: Federal Trade Commission
Initiative: A Preliminary FTC Staff Report on "Protecting Consumer Privacy in an Era of Rapid Change: A Proposed Framework for Businesses and Policymakers"
Attachments: No Attachments
Submission Text
The tracking of my internet habits and preferences by advertisers and "unknown others" is, in my opinion, no less invasive, nor more acceptable, than government authorities tracking by reading habits at a public library. I am SICK of seeing ads for "Older singles," "Penis Enlargement" and hotel chains in Singapore - for no other reason than these invaders seem to have figured out that I am a middle-aged man who once traveled to Hong Kong. Has anyone considered the impact of this invasion on productivity in the United States and around the world? It slows my work. It stifles my business. It often cripples my computer. We, the people, should not have to "opt out" of such garbage. Rather, if anyone should truly want this "tracking" to interfere with their business and their online activity, they should be able to exercise their right to "opt in." I now purchase all of the television programs I watch from ITunes, to avoid the incessant, insipid drone of commercial fodder. I'm sure they're probably tracking that, too. What I wouldn't pay to get these vultures off of my screen, and out of my life. Sincerely, Alexander J. Reis III