Microsoft is running an ad campaign touting its controversial “Do Not Track” function in its latest versions of Internet Explorer, in a move that is firmly aimed at Google. The move has sparked outcry for advertisers, who argue that offering Internet Explorer with ‘Do Not Track’ option switched on by default will massively harm the […]
Microsoft is running an ad campaign touting its controversial “Do Not Track” function in its latest versions of Internet Explorer, in a move that is firmly aimed at Google.
The move has sparked outcry for advertisers, who argue that offering Internet Explorer with ‘Do Not Track’ option switched on by default will massively harm the reach their behavioural targeted ads.
The new video ad from Microsoft highlights IE’s use of Do Not Track and its Tracking Protection Lists as effective tools in preserving online privacy, implying that Google’s Chrome, Mozilla’s Firefox, Apple’s Safari and Opera fail to keep up with Microsoft’s principled stand on privacy.
The ad comes as rival Google Chrome ramps up its video ads and prompts on Google products like Gmail.
The move signals how Microsoft is prioritising its consumer business ahead of its own advertising operations, in a bid to dent Google’s ad revenue. Microsoft’s own advertising business, web services are a money-losing side show for Microsoft but a profitable core business for Google.
Mozilla has taken a similar position with its Firefox browser, but that browser actually blocks advertiser tracking cookies.
