Software king of the world Microsoft has defended its ad-targeting practices, claiming that it is a lot more responsible than others.

In a document for a House committee Microsoft has more or less admitted collecting data on its Web users. Redmond said that it began collecting data outside its own Web sites in 2006, when it launched a third-party ad network, and that activity accelerated after the acquisition of aQuantive in 2007.

Microsoft said that while it started by offering an "opt-out" option on all pages on which it serves ads starting in the Spring.   Users were falling over themselves to sign up to give their data to Microsoft. Only 1,800 users had said no.

Although apparently finding the opt-out option on Microsoft's page is just as easy as hunting a Snark or finding the Holy Grail.

Microsoft says it's getting caned in the online ad business and the committee should look at Yahoo and Google if they want to see who the bad guys are.