Congressmen ask Charter to delay snooping plan

Talk about getting hit over the head for being upfront, Charter Communications' plans to track and sell customer web-surfing data--set to begin in June in four of the company's markets across the country--has raised concerns and drawn the attention of two congressmen who've asked the company to postpone its implementation.
 
Charter notified high-speed Internet customers in Fort Worth, Texas; San Luis Obispo, Calif.; Oxford, Mass.; and Newtown, Conn. of its planned partnership with online ad firm NebuAd to gather data from a "few hundred" customers to help develop targeted online ads.

Reps. Edward Markey, D-Mass., and Joe Barton, R-Texas, wrote to Charter asking it to hold off until they speak with CEO Neil Smit. Markey is chair of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet; Barton is ranking Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. 

Neither NebuAd or gathering web surfing data is new, NebuAd has been working with Embarq on a similar project for months. The difference is Embarq announced its deal quietly and avoided play in the media. Lesson learned Charter? Shame on you for being transparent.
 
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