Microsoft accuses company of also planting trackers in Internet Explorer Google, which is already under FTC scrutiny for privacy issues, is now being sued for violating users’ privacy rights on Apple’s Safari web browser. On Friday it was revealed that Google and several advertising companies were evading the browser’s privacy controls by placing a special kind of tracking code on a handful of sites. Google disabled the code after it was contacted by the Wall Street Journal – which broke the story. The code was discovered by Stanford researcher Jonathan Mayer and confirmed by security consultant Ashkan Soltani. Google put code in its ads that mimicked users interacting with elements of a page – which overrides the browser’s no-tracking setting. To Safari, these ads appeared as invisible forms, in turn allowing Google to install a tracking cookie. …The technique reaches far beyond those websites, however, because once the coding was activated, it could enable Google tracking across the vast majority of websites. Three other online-ad companies were found using similar techniques: Vibrant Media Inc., WPP PLC’s Media Innovation Group LLC and Gannett Co.’s PointRoll Inc. Yesterday, Microsoft accused Google of doing a similar thing to users of Internet Explorer. The software giant said Google was bypassing a company privacy standard called P3P privacy protection. The P3P standard allows Web sites to explain how they intend to use the information they collect about users. Google admitted it was using a known workaround for IE but said Microsoft’s policy is “widely non-operational.” Google said the workaround is in widespread use, citing a 2010 report that claimed more than 11,000 websites were not issuing valid P3P policies. In the lawsuit, filed in a federal court in Delaware, attorneys for Matthew Soble said, “Google’s willful and knowing actions violated” federal wiretapping laws and other computer-related statutes. Google was already in trouble with the government over its privacy practices. Last year, as part of a settlement with the FTC the company pledged not to “misrepresent” its privacy practices to consumers. The fine for violating the agreement is $16,000 per violation, per day. Related content opinion Why Bitcoins are Just as Viable as Any Other Currency The true value of any currency is a reflection of how much people believe it's worth, according to CIO blogger Constantine von Hoffman. But it's wise to remember just how fast beliefs can change. By Constantine von Hoffman Apr 15, 2013 4 mins Government Technology Industry opinion No Surprise: Docs Show Obama Administration Lying About Drones President Obama has repeatedly said drones would only be used against members of al Qaida and allied groups. However, leaked intelligence documents show the administration has been using them to settle political and tribal feuds for at least four yea By Constantine von Hoffman Apr 10, 2013 3 mins Regulation Government opinion How Big Data Can Quickly Become Big Garbage The bigger the data the bigger the chance of mistakes or inaccuracies. In that vein, a large database used by retailers to screen people accused of stealing from employers is identifying innocent people and could result in major lawsuits, according t By Constantine von Hoffman Apr 04, 2013 2 mins Big Data opinion Why Crazy Trumps Logic on the Internet The earth is flat. Vaccines cause autism. 9/11 was a government conspiracy. These are just a few of the many ideas that continue to find adherents online despite overwhelming proof that they're not based on fact. CIO.com blogger Constantine von By Constantine von Hoffman Apr 02, 2013 3 mins Government Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe