May 26th - Cookie law will make most UK websites illegal : what you need to know

[dipsydoodle]

The law which comes into effect this week is for the UK, but stems from the EU’s Privacy and Electronic Communications Directive, which will ultimately apply to all websites in the EU. The UK, Denmark and Estonia have published official guidelines, with 21 other member states to follow (they missed their deadline).

The law affects any website which uses ‘non essential’ cookies, such as visitor tracking code or advertising, and does business in the UK. For example, if your website uses Google Analytics, this law affects you.

>

Does it only affect websites hosted in the UK?

It’s not clear at the moment if websites outside the UK will be forced to adhere to this same law when users from within the UK use their websites. This could lead to a different user experience for people inside and outside the UK.

http://blog.silktide.com/2011/05/cookie-law-makes-most-uk-websites-illegal-what-you-need-to-know/

Only 24% of online consumers are aware of EU cookie law.

But the new law doesn’t just cover cookies, it includes a broader category of website trackers. The TRUSTe survey found that only 58% of consumers were aware of these other tracking technologies.

A previous investigation found that UK websites drop an average of 14 cookies per page, with more than two-thirds (68%) coming from third parties. This suggests that there is still a gap between the widespread use of website trackers and consumer awareness of the practice.

http://econsultancy.com/uk/blog/9979-only-24-of-online-consumers-are-aware-of-eu-cookie-law

[Lionessa]

1. That actually sounds like a decent law.

I don't like all the spying that goes on so I have Firefox locked down pretty tight and things like googleanalytics, google.com, toprelatedtopics.com, easyinline.com, nsdsvc.com, and mysupercheap.com simply don't have permission. BTW, those are all the sites trying to monitor my activity on Democratic Underground in case you were unaware of how much DU has loaded onto the site. Until just now checking to create the list above, I didn't know because I see none of it, all I see is a list of things that would like to be allowed but aren't and I only see that if I bring it up on screen.

[dipsydoodle]

2. What isn't in that article,

which had been previously mentioned on this subject, is that the fine of up to US$800,000 is per offence. !!!!!!!!!!! The thought of that may even cause Google to take care.

[ret5hd]

3. So you fear for the fate of google?

i'm not sure of your concerns.

[dipsydoodle]

4. Than was an illustration only

inasmuch if you multiply $800k by the number of people who use Google, or Facebook come to that, its rather a lot of money.

[AhmsoRealwidit]

5. Since the DU gods won't let me post a new thread on this. Here are some tools for web privacy.

TOR Project: Web Anonymity

https://www.torproject.org/

Ghostery: Web Tracking Nullifier

http://www.ghostery.com/

NoScript: Script Blocker

http://noscript.net/

Keep the nosy bastards out of your business

Why do people have to answer existing posts before they can make their own? This WREAKS of censorship and doesn't seem AT ALL democratic. These vital and useful tools deserve a post unto themselves. FREE SPEECH anyone????

[dipsydoodle]

6. Its not because of duplication

which generally applies mainly to LBN. Its because you have yet to reach the necessary number of posts to entitle you to post a fresh subject. Those, to the best of my knowledge have been the rules for years.

[AhmsoRealwidit]

7. "entitle you to post a fresh subject"

"You are only to speak if spoken to!" Reminds me of grade school. I appreciate the content here and have used this as a source of news for several years. I don't waste much time contributing because of the rampant censorship I've personally encountered here. Since this is called "Democratic" Underground, perhaps the mods here have heard of an old dusty text written somewhere including the words "All Men Are Created Equal" If we ALL can't speak freely, we are DEFINITELY not being treated as equal. I won't interrupt the focus of this thread any further.

PS

My name reflects what I am all about. I call it as I honestly see it and experience it. Fake shit doesn't cut it with me.

PEACE AND PROSPERITY TO ALL

[uppityperson]

8. You've encountered "rampant censorship" where?

[muriel_volestrangler]

9. It's just to stop a troll leaping straight in with inflammatory topics

Since DU bans right wingers, it does also get RW trolls who want an immediate effect from their trolling - they want their thread title to appear on the 'latest' list. If they have to make a few posts first, and actually talk to people, it weeds out a lot of the casual ones.

It only takes about 10 posts. Just take a look around and say 'hi'.