Web Tracking and Privacy Focus of W3C Workshop

Tracking (e.g., for behavioral advertising) has come to the forefront recently as part of the overall Web privacy conversation in the broader Web and policy community. Several software vendors (including Microsoft, Mozilla, and Google) are offering measures that are intended to permit users to opt out of this tracking, or to prevent tracking by Web sites that are known to engage in these practices. Similar technology is deployed in a number of plugins (including NoScript, AdBlock plus, TACO, and PrivacyChoice). As part of ongoing efforts in the area of user privacy on the Web, W3C is organizing a Workshop on Web Tracking and User Privacy, 28-29 April 2011 in Princeton, New Jersey (USA). Topics are likely to include: whether a do not track proposal is advisable or other means might accomplish the same goals; benefits and challenges of browser-bade approaches; other approaches to better user privacy in the face of frequent online tracking. Anyone may participate in this Workshop; a position paper is required and space is limited. Position papers are due 25 March 2011 but expressions of interest sooner than that are appreciated. Many thanks to the Center for Information Technology Policy at Princeton University for hosting the meeting. Please see the the Call for Participation for further details.