Internet Ad Company Agrees To Stop Secret 'Cookies'

(Chicago, IL) -- Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan says a digital ad company called PointRoll has agreed to pay 750-thousand-dollars to settle claims that it violated the privacy of consumers who use the Apple Safari web browser. Madigan and AGs from five other states sued PointRoll, charging that the company circumvented Safari's privacy settings and placed cookies on consumers web-surfing choices without their knowledge or approval. In addition to the payment, the company must promise to cease the practice and to take steps to be more transparent about when it gathers consumer information and for what purpose.