Google, Yahoo and Microsoft will report back on target.

The Committee of Energy and U.S. Trade organized investigation on users' privacy and use of their personal data by advertising agencies. To clarify the matter, the Committee has sent 33 questions regarding the methodology of target advertising to companies working in the field of IT and telecom. Microsoft, AOL, Yahoo and Google have become such companies.

The letter contains 11 questions regarding targeting of advertisements for certain groups of users. Particular attention is paid to behavioral targeting.

"Privacy is a cornerstone of freedom. Online users have a right to explicitly know when their broadband provider is tracking their activity and collecting potentially sensitive and personal information", commented the letter one of the representatives of the Committee.

In addition to Internet companies the object of the investigation will be providers Bright House, Cox, Comcast and Time Warner, as well as the telecommunication companies AT&T, Qwest and Verizon, announced publication Beta News