opt-out

How to opt-out of your Klout profile

Klout is an online service that measures your influence by analyzing your interactions on social networks. If you have a public Twitter account, your Klout profile is automatically created, regardless of whether you signed up for the service or not.

Other Internet services, like search engines, can access your Twitter feed as well, so Klout isn't unique when it comes to gathering your Twitter data. Klout, however, allows you to opt-out of their service. Here's how:

Step 1: To begin the opt-out process, go to http://klout.com/corp/optout and click on the Twitter or Facebook link … Read more

Pinterest addresses copyright issues with opt-out option

As Pinterest grows at break-neck speed, it has to iron out kinks along the way. One of the issues that's been floating around the Web recently is the idea that "pinning" might actually be violating copyright laws.

"The last few months have been a whirlwind here at Pinterest," the site's co-founder Ben Silbermann wrote in a blog post today. "As a company, we care about respecting the rights of copyright holders."

Silbermann explains that as of today, Web sites will be able to opt-out of having their images used by Pinterest's … Read more

How to stop Verizon from monitoring your Web habits

Verizon Wireless updated its privacy policy last week to allow the collection of your location data and the addresses of Web sites you visit on your mobile device.

If you're OK with the changes, no further action is required; everyone was automatically opted in. But if you feel a little uneasy with Big Red acting more like Big Brother, here's how to opt out:

To review the info on the update, read Verizon's update notice.

To opt out online, log in to your account at VZW's Web site and click on the "Please Read" … Read more

How to: Take back your privacy from data brokers

Data brokers, data harvesters, people finders: whatever you call them, they roll up a huge amount of real and deduced information about you to create a dossier on your life that anyone can buy or even browse for free. While the nuggets of information about you are already out there, the way these sites aggregate it makes a lot of people feel very invaded. Watch this video to see how you can opt out, to a degree, then use the links below to start taking back your privacy.

Opt-out tools:

Spokeo PeopleSmart Pipl Peek You (e-mail link): Include the PeekYou.… Read more

Google's Chrome browser gets do-not-track feature

Google just released a new extension for its Chrome browser that will make it easier to avoid ads on the Web.

"Keep My Opt-Outs" stores the settings that users lodge with ad industry opt-out programs like the Network Advertising Initiative and the Self-Regulatory Program for Online Behavioral Advertising in one place, ensuring you don't have to rely on cookies to track those preferences. It's a nod to the Do Not Track movement that has been gaining a little steam, which Google acknowledged in a blog post announcing the extension.

"A better "Do Not Track&… Read more

Viral 'pornoscan' protest challenges TSA

A grassroots effort that began with a single Web page exhorting air travelers to decline body scans has become a full-fledged Internet sensation that has the uncommon distinction of officially irking the Transportation Security Administration.

The idea behind National Opt-Out Day is simple: on the day before Thanksgiving, when screening lines stretch so far they seem to snake back on themselves like an ouroboros, Americans should opt out of what critics call "pornoscans." Instead, they should choose a police-style pat-down instead, which will take TSA screeners far longer to complete.

TSA head John Pistole initially called the idea &… Read more

Opt out of Apple's iAds data collection for iOS 4 devices

Apple has started distributing its iAds advertising content in participating App Store Apps using data that has been collected from iTunes accounts and analyzed to customize your consumption experience. If you no longer want Apple to collect your data, opting out is simple.… Read more

Opt out of Apple's iAds data collection for iOS 4 devices

Apple has started distributing its iAds advertising content in participating App Store apps using data that has been collected from iTunes accounts and analyzed to customize your consumption experience. If you no longer want Apple to collect your data, opting out is simple.

Apple has partnered with several big-name brands to provide content-based, personalized advertising solutions to your iOS-enabled devices. Apple "uses cookies and other technologies in mobile advertising services to control the number of times you see a given ad, deliver ads that relate to your interests, and measure the effectiveness of ad campaigns."

While opting out … Read more

Yahoo lets users opt out of targeted advertising

In response to a Congressional inquiry about targeted advertising, Yahoo announced Friday that consumers will be able to opt out of customized advertising on Yahoo.com.

The news comes one day after Google announced the addition of DoubleClick ad tracking across its sites with an opt-out capability for users.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee on August 1 sent a letter to 34 companies about concerns that privacy protections already in place for consumers may not be applicable to customized advertising. The letter asked the companies to respond to 10 questions about their targeted ad policies, including, "If your … Read more