Net set to make cookies crumble

zappaDPJ · Mar 09, 2011, 12:29:38

QuoteThe way websites track visitors and tailor ads to their behaviour is about to undergo a big shake-up.

From 25 May, European laws dictate that "explicit consent" must be gathered from web users who are being tracked via text files called "cookies".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12668552

QuoteGovernments 'not ready' for new European privacy law

European rules aimed at giving consumers more control over how their web browsing is tracked will not be enforced come May, experts have said.

No European government has yet drawn up the guidelines for how the ePrivacy directive will be enforced.

It states that websites must seek consent from users before using tracking technologies.

Privacy campaigners say the solutions being put forward are "not fit for purpose".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12677534

Until the regulations are drawn up I don't see how anyone can plan for this as nobody really knows who will have liability and to what extent. Nevertheless, it's something all site owners need to be mindful of.

Rik · Mar 09, 2011, 12:32:25

Typical mess, isn't it, Zap.

zappaDPJ · Mar 09, 2011, 12:50:51

It is and it could potentially be a problem for everyone. I certainly expect any forum running Google Adsense for example will have to make changes.

Rik · Mar 09, 2011, 12:52:44

Luckily, it's not a problem which we need to address.

pctech · Mar 09, 2011, 12:57:54

Just zap (or preferably eat if they are choc chip) eat your cookies.

zappaDPJ · Mar 09, 2011, 13:01:55

Quote from: Rik on Mar 09, 2011, 12:52:44
Luckily, it's not a problem which we need to address.

I suspect we might be obligated to notify users that we do not use session cookies for marketing purposes but until the guidelines are drawn up I can only speculate at that.

Rik · Mar 09, 2011, 13:08:16

I agree.

pctech · Mar 09, 2011, 13:13:14

But a session cookie is only stored in RAM isn't it and is not committed to disk so is only really useful as an auth token.

Rik · Mar 09, 2011, 13:15:31

It's on disk, Mitch.

pctech · Mar 09, 2011, 13:20:35

Hmmm, you learn something new every day.

armadillo · Mar 09, 2011, 16:34:37

Strikes me as yet another pointless piece of EU legislation. It will make things more difficult for legitimate companies without in any way hampering the shady ones, most of which will be hosted on servers outside EU jurisdiction. And, in any case, all cookies are harmless.

Draconian laws always result in shifting custom to countries where the legislation is less restrictive or non-existent.