The most popular sites on the Internet now collect less personal information and offer consumers a broader range of privacy options than ever before, according to a report released by a conservative think-tank today. The study, conducted by the Progress . . .
The most popular sites on the Internet now collect less personal information and offer consumers a broader range of privacy options than ever before, according to a report released by a conservative think-tank today. The study, conducted by the Progress & Freedom Foundation and modeled after a May 2000 survey by the Federal Trade Commission, found that the top 100 Web sites now gather roughly half as much data about visitors through third-party advertisers than they did two years ago.

"By every relevant measure, the extent of online information collected has declined since May 2000," said PFF President Jeffrey Eisenach.

While the study found similar, albeit less pronounced changes among a random sampling of 7,800 Web sites, both groups now offer visitors more complete privacy policies and place a greater emphasis on protecting consumers' personal information, Eisenach said.

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