IE9 To Feature Anti-Tracking Tool

(KCBS) _ If you're concerned about websites tracking you online, Microsoft may have an app for that.

The software giant's next version of Internet Explorer will have a feature to block websites from tracking you.

KCBS' Matt Bigler Reports :

The anti-tracking feature is included in Internet Explorer 9 which Microsoft claims can prevent websites from gathering personal information about its users by allowing them to "blacklist" sites you may want to block.

The latest version of Explorer is expected to be released sometime in early 2011.

KCBS' Technology Analyst Larry Magid said this is a step to better online privacy, but there may be a caveat.

"Some advertisers may say, if you don't let us track you, we're going to charge you," said Magid.

The tech expert also warned that the future may be a tit-for-tat situation where the websites that provide content, such as news or other services, may say either be tracked or be charged.

The anti-tracking tool was supposed to be included in Internet Explorer 8, but according to the Wall Street Journal, it was pulled at the last minute after advertisers raised concerns about how it would negatively impact their business.

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