EU directive

[xoggoth]

Any thoughts from the webby sorts on this ill thought out EU directive on use of cookies?

BBC News - Governments 'not ready' for new European privacy law

It isn't supposed to apply to using cookies just to keep track of the contents of a shopping cart but if users turn them off to avoid being bombarded with popups it obviously will.

[AtW]

On the face of it this is a very stupid directive that should have never been done in the first place...

It either does not mean what papers say (I have not read it in full so can't comment), or it won't be enforced or it will be pulled at the last moment.

[amcdonald]

...does not approve

[SueEllen]

On the face of it this is a very stupid directive that should have never been done in the first place...

It either does not mean what papers say (I have not read it in full so can't comment), or it won't be enforced or it will be pulled at the last moment.

I know what the idea of the directive is but lots of websites actually say in their terms and conditions that a condition of using the website is that you will have a cookie in your browser.

All that will happen like with changing the opt-out to opt-in with email and marketing from websites, is that users will be made to opt-in as a condition of using a particular website.

[AtW]

All that will happen like with changing the opt-out to opt-in with email and marketing from websites, is that users will be made to opt-in as a condition of using a particular website.

It's not the same - being emailed requires user to do something actively like type email on registration form, visiting free site does not - idiots in Brussels can't reasonably expect a website to put up massive T&C screen for user to confirm they accept cookies policies - drop off would be massive.

This can't possibly work well or is very misrepresented in media.

[Old Greg]

...does not approve

Exactly! What if I'm buying cookies?

[minestrone]

Tracking cookies should be banned. I think they will enforce it.

[Sysman]

Tracking cookies should be banned. I think they will enforce it.

But what are they going to do about sites in the US?

[TestMangler]

And how is your favourite porn site going to deliver your preferences directly to your browser window without a tracking cookie ?

That would mean that every time you went on, you'd have to go through the routine of choosing your preferences all over again.......mature/granny/anal/ATM etc etc. How tedious.

[minestrone]

But what are they going to do about sites in the US?

The main companies that do it are pretty big, they will just go after then in the courts. They will back down and agree not to track in the EU.