Charter Suspends Targeted Ad Program

June 25, 2008 10:45 a.m. EST

New York, NY (AHN) - Charter Communications, the nation's fourth-largest cable provider, has decided to delay a program to sell Internet usage data to an advertising firm. The decision follows complaints from Congress and customers.

Earlier this year, Charter said it would sell the Internet usage information to NebuAd to help target advertisements. The delay will postpone tests Charter had planned in four markets.

In a statement, Massachussetts Democrat Rep. Ed Markey said other ad targeting efforts should also be put on the back burner while privacy concerns are addressed. Along with Markey, Texas Republican Rep. Joe Barton had met with Charter to reconsider the program.

Privacy advocates believe selling Internet surfing habits could open a can of worms for cable providers, which offer both Internet access and television.