CNET: Lawmaker tones down anti-Gmail bill
The California bill that would have not only made Gmail's ad targeting practices illegal but also perhaps even prevented commercial sites from employing browser cookies, has been rendered into a restrictive, but at least arguably sane form. Modifications include explicitly allowing content scanning for ad targeting purposes, severely limiting the use and storage of information from those scans, and ensuring that deleted emails get permanently removed from any digital storage.
The bill still contains some broad restrictions that could lead to unintended consequences. One technology trade group official said, for instance, it could be interpreted as making illegal technologies that help prevent kids from viewing pornography online.
