Do-Not-Call site has AT&T web bug

[Kellanved]

The FTC's popular Do Not Call page has been a runaway hit with US consumers, with over five million signing up to avoid spam calls from telemarketers. But the web site hides a little secret: a web bug.

Most users won't be aware that the registry hosts a one pixel by one pixel image: a popular tracking ploy. And where does trail lead but back to AT&T, one of the most persistent telemarketers.
...
"The important thing to understand is that it would be in AT&T's interest to know as much as possible about the popularity of the 'do not call' list and the demographic makeup of its members in advance of the list's publication and distribution to AT&T's competitors. For AT&T to know 'this list is going to be extraordinarily popular' in advance of the FTC releasing that news, or for AT&T to know "households in New York are more likely to be on this list than households in California" before their competitors do, that's worth money,"
says Parry.
...
AT&T Government Solutions won the $3.5 million contract to build the registry in February. The FTC says the process fulfilled tendering requirements but would not disclose who else had bid. ®


http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/6/33301.html

[trotsky]

1. What an interesting development!

I just can't tell you how surprised I am that a corporation would do something like this! They'd sacrifice people's privacy to gain competitiveness? No, say it isn't so!

[qb]

2. I am so glad I didn't sign up.

The BFEE would sooner gargle battery acid than do something that truly benefits average Americans.