InternetLawmakers Turn Up Heat on Ad Targeting

The request comes amid rising scrutiny of deep-packet inspection, or DPI, by lawmakers and consumer advocates.

WASHINGTON -- U.S. lawmakers are questioning the biggest U.S. Internet companies about whether they track their customers' visits online and use the information to tailor Internet advertisements for them. Senior members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee wrote to broadband Internet providers and other online companies on Friday, asking whether they have "tailored, or facilitated the tailoring of, Internet advertising based on consumers Internet search, surfing, or other use." The request comes amid rising scrutiny of the practice, known as deep-packet inspection, or DPI, by lawmakers and consumer advocates. The letters were sent to more than 30 online companies, including large broadband providers such as Comcast Corp, AT&T Inc and Verizon Communications Inc, as well as search giant Google Inc and Microsoft Corp. RELATED ARTICLES NebuAd: The Third Rail for ISPs? NebuAd Grilled on the Hill Again For more stories on this topic: "We are interested in the nature and extent to which you engage in such practices, and the impact it could have on consumer privacy," said the letter from Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell and ranking committee Republican Joe Barton. Representatives of Comcast, Google and Microsoft had no immediate comment on the letter. A Verizon spokesman said, "Of course we will review the letter and respond." An AT&T spokesman said, "We look forward to responding promptly... [ Read more on www.internetnews.com ]

InternetCapital Research wants Yahoo vote probe (Reuters)

Reuters - One of Yahoo Inc's largest and most critical shareholders, Capital Research Global Investors, said on Monday it had asked for a probe of last week's shareholder vote which showed strong support for Chief Executive Jerry Yang.

InternetHouse Committee Broadens Online Privacy Probe

Lawmakers send letter calling on nearly three dozen Internet service and content provider to detail their behavioral targeting practices.