Analyst: The “Do Not Track” Feature Could Be The End Of Free Internet

Twilight movie), another one rages on with a new episode. The “Do Not Track” feature of Internet Explorer 10 is in the spotlight again. This time again it’s the advertisers who continue to criticize Microsoft’s decision to keep this option on by default. And like always, they’ve got a point. Internet Explorer 10 is not the only browser that supports the DNT feature, but it is the one that has it on by default. As the standard built-in browser on Windows 8, it comes with the Do Not Track functionality factory-enabled. And it seems that the version for Windows 7 (which is currently in the preview stage) isn’t shying away from following on with the plan. Users, however, are greeted with a tutorial the first time they launch Internet Explorer 10 explaining the Do Not Track feature and detailing the fact that it is turned on by default. While advocates of online privacy are all glee over Microsoft’s decision to keep DNT turned on by default, advertisers are of the view that such an aggressive strategy will only hurt the Internet. Daniel Castro, a senior analyst at ITIF told IBD that: “Without advertising, users cannot get all of the free materials that they have come to enjoy with the Internet.” Analysts believe that keeping the DNT feature on all the time blocks advertisers from delivering better targeted ads, which ultimately enhance ad sales for websites. Internet Explorer is, after all, the most popular browser on the market with a 48% market share (according to the most recent figures released by Net Applications earlier this month). Mozilla Firefox follows with 18%.]]>