Internet service providers engaged in the tracking of user behavioral patterns are backpedaling in the wake of a new Congressional inquiry into the privacy issues surrounding such practices.

In a letter addressing questions from members of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Web, David Hantman, Yahoo’s vice president of global policy, said his company realizes that some Web surfers would prefer not to receive customized online ads. As a conclusion, the search engine giant will allow consumers to

decline ads based on the tracking of their online behavior at Yahoo.com.

“We want to offer them transparency and choice about the options that are available to them,” Hantman explained. “This is in addition to our existing opt-out when Yahoo serves customized advertising on third-party networks.”

When Yahoo serves up ads for partners such as eBay or a consortium of nearly 800 newspapers, users can choose to opt-out of receiving customized […]

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