Microsoft plans to introduce a new “tracking protection” feature in the next version of its Internet Explorer browser, which will let users filter out sites they don’t want to share information with. Get the full story »
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FTC pushes for new online privacy protections
Consumers may soon have new tools to protect their privacy online.
On Wednesday, the federal government released a much-anticipated report advocating safeguards for online privacy, including a “do not track” list, which would keep browsers’ web surfing private. The list would be similar to the “do not call” list that has helped curb telemarketing phone calls.
David Vladeck, director of the FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection, said Wednesday that consumers bear too heavy a burden for protecting themselves online. He said the FTC has grown frustrated with the pace of self-regulation and the escalating technological “arms race,” and that advertising networks often circumvent the privacy protections consumers use. Get the full story »
Microsoft updates Internet Explorer 9 code
Microsoft's Steve Ballmer at Thursday's software developers conference. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer pumped up unique features in the company’s new Web browser and smart phone software at a software developer conference Thursday, the company’s annual pep rally for people who will build programs for the Web, Windows computers and phones.
Ballmer is known for his onstage enthusiasm. This year, he joked with the crowd that he wouldn’t repeat the memorable “developer prance” of years past, when he loped around hollering, “Developers! Developers!”
During the keynote address, Ballmer and Dean Hachamovitch, a top executive in Microsoft Corp.’s Internet Explorer division, showed off how developers can program websites to take advantage of new features. Internet Explorer 9, which is in beta test form, uses more of a PC’s hardware to make pages load and run faster. A new version of the underlying code is being released for developers Thursday. Get the full story »
Internet Explorer 9 launched
A screen shot of Microsoft's Internet Explorer 9.
Microsoft Corp. released the latest version of its Web browser, saying that it would work at faster speeds, deliver better graphics and be less obtrusive to users.
Internet Explorer 9, unlike previous versions and many competing browsers, pushes itself into the background.
“People go to the Web for site, not the browser,” said Dean Hachamovitch, general manager for IE, at a press event in San Francisco. “Today Web sites are boxed in, the box is the browser.” Get the full story »
