Concerns about privacy have prompted the creation of two start-ups that aim to provide online users with more choice. Following the news of a privacy breach at Facebook, a former Google engineer created a piece of software that disabled features that track browsing history, The Wall Street Journal reports. Within two weeks, 50,000 users downloaded the free application. Engineer Brian Kennish said he's since left Google so that he could create "Disconnect"--software to work with a wider array of sites' tracking devices or "widgets." The software also disables search engines from tracking users' Web movements. Meanwhile, a 19-year-old college student has started a company that allows users to opt out of tracking by 100 companies. (Registration may be required to access this story.)
Full Story