Then again, maybe not

Charter Communications, which announced plans to test the NebuAd system, decided not to monitor customers for ad-targeting after all, reports The Washington Post.

The cable provider may have been cowed by vocal critics of ISP-level behavioral targeting. NebuAd, one vendor that enables ISPs to serve ads against customer behavior, is a frequent target of their complaints.

But Federal regulators were also skeptical about Charter's intentions. Texas Democrat Edward J. Markey is pleased Charter decided to toss the NebuAd test, and urges other internet service providers to follow its example.

Charter is just one among numerous ISPs that have begun to explore behavioral advertising, but it was the largest to partner with NebuAd.

A Harris survey found most internet users are comfortable with behavioral targeting if security measures are enforced.