Two lawmakers have asked the Federal Trade Commission to investigate reports that MSN.com and Hulu.com install undeletable cookies onto users' computers, according to Reuters.

In a letter dated Sept. 27, Representatives Joe Barton and Ed Markey both asked FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz regarding FTC's action plans on the so-called 'supercookies.'

Most websites use cookies to identify users when they visit, but these are supposed to be removable and controllable by the user. However, MSN.com and Hulu.com cookies cannot be deleted, said the lawmakers, adding they can recreate a user's profile after less powerful cookies are deleted.

"We believe this new business practice raises serious privacy concerns and is unacceptable," they wrote. "We believe the usage of supercookies takes away consumer control over their own personal information, presents a greater opportunity for misuse of personal information, and provides another way for consumers to be tracked online."

Markey, a Democrat, and Barton, a Republican, are co-chairmen of the House Bi-Partisan Privacy Caucus.

In a Reuters report, Barton further said, "The constant abuse of online activity must stop... I think supercookies should be outlawed because their existence eats away at consumer choice and privacy."

The lawmakers told the FTC to delve into the practice of using supercookies and determine whether it is unfair or deceptive.

Reuters reports, the FTC has supported the creation of a "do not track" option for the Internet that would limit the ability of advertisers to collect consumers' data. There has been legislation put forward in Congress to allow consumers to say they don't want to be tracked, but the follow through has not been strong enough.

FTC also proposed that company privacy policies be simpler, clearer and shorter, among other moves to promote consumer understanding on what companies know about them, or how much information they give away.