Privacy and Industry Self-Regulation

I firmly believe that consumers benefit when the ads they are exposed to as they surf the information superhighway are (highly) relevant. And relevance increases in direct proportion to the amount of data we (the industry) are able to collect.

But why are we so afraid that we won’t be able to convince people of this fact? Aren’t we supposed to be experts in changing perceptions…and ultimately behaviors?

If we don’t move to an opt-in (do not track) versus opt-out stance on data collection (a la Microsoft), we will lose any and all credibility to self-regulate. And then the slide down a very slippery slope begins.

Am I being naive?

I’d love to hear your thoughts.