AOL to let users block targeted Web ads

November 01, 2007 Time Warner Inc's AOL Internet division said Wednesday that it would let users opt out of online advertisements that are presented to individuals based on the Web sites they have visited. Such behaviorally targeted ads use "cookies," information that identifies a computer, to keep track of where the user has visited online and send that person commercial messages accordingly. Internet publishers say this system lets users get ads for products they may be interested in rather than sending useless information, but consumer advocates say it is yet another potential violation of privacy online.

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