• The New York Times, Thursday, March 20, 2008 11 AM

New York Assemblyman Richard L. Brodsky has drafted a bill that would make it a crime for Web companies to use personal information about consumers without their consent. Brodsky conceived of the bill after reading an article about companies like Google, Microsoft and Yahoo using such information to more accurately target their advertising.

Because it would be nearly impossible for such companies to abide by such rules in just one state, the bill--if it were to become law--would effectively outlaw the practice across the U.S. The bill is reportedly gaining support in Albany. Both Microsoft and Yahoo have sent lobbyists to Albany in recent weeks to meet with Brodsky, and AOL is reportedly setting up a meeting, as well.

The penalty for violating the law would be a fine, the size is yet to be determined. Assemblyman Brodsky, a Democrat, hopes the bill will come to a vote this spring. A similar bill is already pending before the Connecticut state legislature, though the New York bill is shaping up to be considerably broader in scope.

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