Microsoft Corp. today announced the specifics for privacy tools it will deliver in the next version of its popular Web browser software, Microsoft� Internet Explorer 6. The privacy tools will help Internet surfers select their own level of privacy protection in dealing with Web sites, and in particular with the sites' use of cookies. Internet Explorer 6, which will be available for free download (connect-time charges may apply) or as part of the Windows� XP operating system scheduled to be released this summer, will be the first Internet browser software to include such robust privacy tools based on the industry-developed Platform for Privacy Preferences (P3P) specification. "With these significant privacy features in Internet Explorer 6, Microsoft is helping to give people critical notice and consent information in their browser experience, to better know what information is collected about them via cookies," said Rick Belluzzo, president and chief operating officer at Microsoft. "Privacy is a key part of Microsoft's .NET efforts, and this work is a step toward enabling the .NET experiences of the future, where devices, applications and services work together on behalf of the users."

Click here to see a screenshot