( CNN ) -- A Federal Trade Commission official announced that Twitter users will be able block personal data from being shared with third-party websites . The announcement came at an Internet privacy forum in New York , where FTC Chief Technology Officer Ed Felten announced the micro-blogging and social media service is participating in `` Do Not Track , '' the Internet privacy feature launched last year by Mozilla for users of its Firefox web browser . `` Do Not Track '' allows users to block third-party cookies , which are used to piece together Internet users ' personal information and online activity . To opt into the service on Twitter , users must select the `` Do Not Track '' feature within the Firefox browser . Other top web browsers , including Apple 's Safari and Microsoft 's Internet Explorer , have similar features . According to the FTC , `` Do Not Track '' will not require the government to compile a list , unlike the `` Do Not Call Registry , '' which allows consumers to opt out of receiving telemarketing calls . The FTC has not voted yet on whether to fully support `` Do Not Track . '' Despite not officially supporting the feature , the FTC was pleased with Twitter 's decision . `` Twitter 's use of 'Do Not Track ' in its new feature is good news for Twitter users and a meaningful step toward broader adoption of a strong 'Do Not Track ' system that will give consumers simple , comprehensive control over online tracking , '' said FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz . `` Hopefully other companies will follow suit . '' Twitter was quick to praise the FTC 's comments . `` We applaud the FTC 's leadership on 'Do Not Track , ' and are excited to provide the benefits of 'Do Not Track , ' '' Robert Weeks , a Twitter spokesman , told CNN . The move comes at a pivotal time for Internet privacy rule-making . The Commerce Department and the White House have been working to determine what role federal regulations will play in protecting web users ' privacy . In February , White House and Commerce Department officials met with Internet industry leaders to discuss Washington 's role in protecting private data on the web . President Barack Obama said at the time , `` American consumers ca n't wait any longer for clear rules of the road that ensure their personal information is safe online . '' Companies are increasingly facing scrutiny over how they protect personal information gathered online . Two companies feeling heat over their privacy policies have been Internet giants Facebook and Google . Facebook depends on advertising revenue generated from games and other third-party apps running on the site . User activity is tracked to help Facebook pick targeted advertisers for the users . Google 's business model is similar . Both companies have recently faced a groundswell of anger when they announced major changes to their privacy policies . Web privacy advocates , including some government officials in the United States and elsewhere , have repeatedly expressed unease with the sheer amount of data Facebook possesses about its users and how that data may be used . According to Mozilla , around 9 % of Firefox users opt in to `` Do Not Track . '' The highest percentage of users turning on the feature live in the Netherlands , France and the United States .
FTC official : Twitter is participating in the `` Do Not Track '' Internet privacy feature . This means that if you don't want your information to be tracked, then simply click on a button and it will stop tracking of your activity! The role of federal regulations in web privacy has been a focus of concern in Washington . Facebook and Google depend heavily on third-party apps for their revenue .