Intel: No serial number on next chip

Intel Corp. plans to stop stamping serial numbers on its processors, starting

with its next-generation "Willamette" chip due out later this year, the

company said Thursday.

Privacy groups protested after Intel announced last year that it was

releasing Pentium III chips with a so-called processor serial number. The

groups said the number could be used to track people's habits as they surfed

the Internet.

Intel said the number was meant to help IT managers keep track of computers,

but the company eventually agreed to work with computer makers to turn the

feature off at the manufacturing level.

Intel will continue the number in its Pentium III chips, said George

Alfs, an Intel spokesman.