There were simply no state or federal laws to hinder what Granholm, Michigan's state attorney general, considered objectionable commercial behavior. Now, she is one of a growing number of attorneys general taking on Internet companies directly.
Most people are opposed to regulating the Internet.
But people have the right to their own personal information. Granholm and other attorneys general want Internet companies that place cookies to admit as much clearly on their Web sites. They also want laws that allow consumers to decide whether to share their personal information with Internet companies. Bill Lockyer, California's attorney general, says corporate lobbyists have in the past halted privacy bills at the federal level and in the 46 states that have considered them. It allows sites to identify users so visitors don't have to retype personal information every time they visit.