After a public outcry, Microsoft backs away from a controversial
plan to insert live hyperlinks on Web pages managed by Microsoft
Internet Explorer — without the knowledge or participation of the
Web page’s designer.
“Following weeks of outraged criticism, Microsoft Corp. Thursday
backed away from plans to include the Smart Tags feature in Windows
XP’s Internet Explorer 6.”“The Smart Tags feature would allow IE 6 to turn any word on a
Web site into a link at Microsoft’s discretion. That link, without
the Web site author’s knowledge or consent, could lead to a
Microsoft site or, conceivably, the site of a Microsoft partner or
even an advertiser.”