Should "Do not track" be default, marketers think not

The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) and the Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA) are both upset with Microsoft and their decision to make Internet Explorer 10 a "do not track" by default web browser.

The latest version of Internet Explorer that ships with Windows 8 Release Preview sports a "Do Not Track" (DNT) button that is set to "on" by default. This choice by Microsoft goes way above and beyond the standards set forth by the DAA's Self Regulatory Program for member organizations.

The contention with this decision for DNT is that the feature will limit choices for searchers and severely hurt online advertising. Marketers, business owners and website owners will also find it very difficult understand activity on their sites and how visitors found them using analytics.

“This represents a step backwards in consumer choice, and we fear it will harm many of the businesses, particularly publishers, that fuel so much of the rich content on the internet,” wrote IAB President Randall Rothenberg in a statement.

Microsoft is essentially testing the waters with this new feature and is actively seeking feedback on their preview products and configuration.