For the last year or so, the Federal Trade Commission has been looking at privacy questions surrounding online behavioral advertising. We've been pleased to be a part of that process, including testifying at the FTC's 2007 town hall meeting, submitting our own comments last year on the draft principles, and having extensive conversations with FTC staff.

Today, the Commission released the final version of its self-regulatory principles. The FTC principles underscore that in a fast-evolving space like the Internet, a self-regulatory approach is the best way to protect consumers and promote innovation.

We agree with the statements of Commissioners Liebowitz and Harbour that individual companies and industry generally can and should do more to protect user privacy. Google will continue to engage in efforts to develop strong self-regulatory principles and will will continue to advocate for comprehensive federal privacy legislation.