Politech mailing list archives
FC: Anti-MS trade association condemns browser cookie feature
From: Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>
Date: Sun, 23 Jul 2000 11:28:29 -0700
CCIA is a trade association funded by Microsoft competitors such as Oracle (http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,37349,00.html) that has done some nice work on copyright and limiting government surveillance (http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,37448,00.html). It is also staunchly pro-MS breakup and has filed an amicus brief arguing for more than a two-way split. (http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,36551,00.html)
Here's somge background on the feature added last week: http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,37723,00.html Who's First on Cookie Features? Netscape's browser has allowed third-party cookie blocking for years. Is Microsoft's claim of a privacy first for Internet Explorer exaggerated? By Chris Oakes.The press release below is complaining that to upgrade to the new browser, users must visit microsoft.com, and Gates & co may record information about the visit. That, CCIA says, is "anticompetitive."
(Let's ignore for the moment the lawsuit against Netscape for its smart browsing feature that tracks downloads too.) :)
-Declan NEWS RELEASE Contact: Mary Hewitt, 202-783-0070 mhewitt () ccianet org / www.ccianet.org CCIA Cites concern Over Anticompetitive Impact of Proposed Changes to Microsoft IE Washington, DC July 20, 2000 ? The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) expressed reservations about today's announcement by Microsoft of its plans to make available a patch to its Internet Explorer web browser that would prompt users whenever they visit a website that attempts to drop a cookie from a third party. "This looks very much like another effort by Microsoft to utilize its monopoly power in the Internet browser market to establish dominance in an adjacent market -- namely, the market for personal data and information," Ed Black, President and CEO of CCIA said today. "While CCIA has strongly supported industry-wide efforts to protect consumers' privacy, we do not believe that such information should be available without restriction to some, while requiring consumers to "opt in" to providing information to everyone else. "Because the Microsoft website is the central repository for information related to its ubiquitous operating system, browser, security patches, and bug fixes, most PC users have no choice but to visit Microsoft.com, and it has become the most visited site on the Web. However, Microsoft should not be allowed to take advantage of this situation to collect information surreptitiously from computer users that is unavailable to others without specific permission." # # # CCIA is an international, nonprofit association of technology, telecommunications, and Internet firms, representing a broad cross-section of the industry. CCIA is dedicated to preserving full, free and open competition throughout domestic and global markets. Our members employ nearly a million workers and generate annual revenues in excess of $300 billion. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- POLITECH -- the moderated mailing list of politics and technology To subscribe, visit http://www.politechbot.com/info/subscribe.html This message is archived at http://www.politechbot.com/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------
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- FC: Anti-MS trade association condemns browser cookie feature Declan McCullagh (Jul 23)