EBay U.K. Ads go Behavioral

EBay has informed users it will begin rolling out behaviorally targeted ads in the U.K. this month, presumably using technology from AOL’s Tacoda, as it did in the U.S. in October.

The AdChoice system will serve ads based on previous on-site searches and items purchased, as well as “information from other companies,” according to an e-mail sent to U.K. members on Tuesday. eBay did not respond to queries as to which companies this may include. Existing publishers in Tacoda’s network include the likes of Conde Nast, New York Times, CBS Digital Media, and Dow Jones.

A statement from eBay, e-mailed to me today simply read, “AdChoice provides a more personalised and relevant shopping experience for our users. Participation in this programme is entirely optional and does not involve disclosure of personal information to any third parties.”

Though the AdChoice system will offer users an opt-out, members that are not happy with the resulting changes to the site’s privacy policy are invited to close their accounts.