Privacy Groups Oppose Merger

Privacy advocates are opposing Internet advertising firm DoubleClick Inc.’s proposed acquisition of consumer data collector Abacus Direct Corp., arguing that the merger would collect far too much personal information about consumers. The nonprofit Electronic Privacy Information Center and the privacy-oriented Web site Junkbusters said they are likely to ask regulators to block the deal if the companies proceed with the deal.

Combining DoubleClick’s ability to follow online surfers around the Internet with Abacus’ vast database of names, addresses and phone numbers collected from direct-mail vendors would “severely undermine” privacy, the groups said in a letter to the companies that was also sent to the Federal Trade Commission and Congress.

New York-based DoubleClick is one of the leading firms that place advertising banners on Web sites and collect information about the movements of Web surfers. President Kevin Ryan said his company has no interest in annoying consumers with unwanted contacts and allows anyone to ask to be excluded from its database.