Groups call on Congress to probe Internet Explorer's privacy

Six privacy groups have called on the Senate and House Commerce committees to examine whether the latest version of Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser makes it easier for firms to track a consumer's Web surfing habits for advertising purposes.

In a letter Thursday to the leaders of the Senate Commerce and House Energy and Commerce committees, the privacy groups called on the panels to not only investigate claims included in a recent Wall Street Journal investigation of Internet Explorer but to examine online surveillance in general. The Journal investigation found Internet Explorer 8 requires users to turn on the feature that blocks tracking by Web sites and to activate that setting every time they launch the browser, the groups said. Internet Explorer is the most widely used Web browser, they noted.

"A powerful complex of data collection companies and interactive marketing techniques pose a grave privacy threat to U.S. consumers," according to the letter signed by the Center for Digital Democracy, Consumer Action, Consumer Watchdog, the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, Privacy Times, and the U.S. Public Interest Research Group. "We respectfully call on the committee to investigate these serious charges, as well as hold hearings that can inform the public."

The Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing in July on online privacy, and some lawmakers asked about the issue of tracking Web users surfing habits for advertising purpose, a practice known as online behavioral advertising.

The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection also held a hearing in July on proposed privacy legislation from subcommittee Chairman Bobby Rush, D-Ill., and a separate draft measure from Communications Subcommittee Chairman Rick Boucher, D-Va.

Microsoft did not have an immediate response to the privacy groups' concerns.