USA: Strict regulations demanded for tracking advertising

 Online tracking is coming under increasing criticism because website operators are not only tracking users' surfing behavior and using the data for advertising purposes, but are now also working closely with Poviders. Lawmakers and data protectionists in the US are criticizing this new type of cooperation and calling for strict regulations, as the Wall Street Journal reports. Users should at least be asked for their consent before private data is used for advertising purposes, according to the critics. US government representatives want to enforce similar guidelines for tracking advertising as apply to telephone and cable connections. The practice of web tracking should only be allowed if customers agree to it, says Democrat Edward Markey. His Republican colleague Joe Barton takes a similar view. "I understand the need to collect information. However, this should only be done with consent".