ISPs Tracking Your Online Life: The Myth of Privacy

A report published Thursday by the Consumer Reports National Research Center shows that 57% of Web users mistakenly believe that before monitoring their online browsing, companies are legally required to identify themselves, spell out why they're collecting data and who they intend to share it with. Sixty-one percent believe what they do online is "private and not shared without their permission," and 43% of users incorrectly believe that a court order is required to monitor Web-browsing activities.

They have a lot more visibility into our online activities, a lot more control over what users do, and (unlike Google) it's a lot more difficult to route around them. Plus, many have shown that they have no problems selling your private data -- sometimes without letting you know. So, why is all the attention focused on Google? If it's abusing our privacy, then it's easy to switch to a competitor. Broadband ISPs, on the other hand, have a lot more control and visibility -- and a much tighter grip on customers, usually with fewer competitive options. Yet, the government rolls over backwards to let these ISPs do what they want, while it prepares an antitrust lawsuit against Google?