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In January, 1999, Intel announced that all new Pentium III processors would include a unique identifier, the Processor Serial Number (PSN).
Although Intel made a utility available to consumers that would allow the consumer the choice of enabling or disabling the PSN, it was shown that rogue web sites were able to access the PSN, even if the PSN were diabled. The PSN has the potential to transform the World Wide Web from a largely anonymous environment into one where individuals are expected, or even required, to identify themselves in order to participate in online activities, communicate, and make purchases.
On Febuary 26, 1999 several privacy and consumer groups jointly filed a complaint against Intel with the Federal trade Commission. Dominant chip maker Intel decided to move forward with its new
Pentium III chip with an identifying serial number that could be used to
track computers across the Internet. CDT, other privacy advocates, and
security experts have objected. CDT asked equipment manufacturers for
information about how they plan to implement the ID feature.
On April 8, 1999 privacy and consumer groups filed a supplemental complaint against Intel. Following initial discussions with the FTC, a supplement to the complaint against Intel's Pentium III Processor Serial Number has been filed. The Supplement details the potential harm to consumers - in particular children and teens - posed by the Processor Serial Number. It also discusses key differences between Processor Serial Number and existing identifiers on the Internet.
In late-April, 2000, Intel quietly let it be known that future processors, starting with the Williamette family of processors, would not include the Processor Serial Number. Pentium-III processors still have the PSN installed.
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