Congress just got some fuel to legislate a comprehensive online-privacy law. Several Internet and broadband companies on Tuesday told the House Energy and Commerce Committee that they have used targeted-advertising technology without explicitly informing consumers. Committee member Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) said he and his colleagues plan to introduce legislation next year that would require that consumers must opt-in to the tracking of their online behavior. However, other committee members said that such legislation would hamper the economy by preventing small companies from reaching customers.
