PRINCETON, N.J., Dec. 22 (UPI) -- U.S. consumers in a poll indicated strong opposition to Internet ads that target them directly based on past Internet activities.
The USA Today/Gallup poll found 67 percent of 1,019 adults polled indicated they opposed targeted ads, a number that dropped to 61 percent when respondents were asked if the practice was justified by keeping access to Web sites free, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Respondents age 18 to 34 were less inclined to indicate disapproval of targeted ads, but 34 percent in the age group indicated they approved of targeted ads, compared to 30 percent of the general public.
The Federal Trade Commission has proposed giving consumers a mechanism to opt out of allowing Internet companies to track their behavior online. The Commerce Department recently called for a consumer bill of rights that covers the Internet.
Concerning advertising, the USA Today/Gallup poll done this month showed for many these regulatory points are moot. Ninety percent of the respondents to the poll indicated they don't pay attention to Internet advertising, anyway.
The poll was conducted this month, but the report didn't give a margin of error.
