The European Commission (news - web sites) is encountering strong opposition to its proposed ban on computer cookies -- an Internet technology that stores information on Web surfers -- but even ardent privacy advocates in the U.S. say the cookie should not crumble.
Experts say that in contrast to the legislative approach taken by the European Commission, cookies in the U.S. are mostly self-regulated by the companies using them on their Web sites. Advertisers and site operators say cookies are needed to make Internet experiences interactive and more personalized.
And while there are concerns as to what exactly is stored in a cookie -- which can include name, zip code, age and surfing habits -- privacy proponents say that cookies do not pose a serious threat to privacy as long as users are aware of posted Web site policies, which are policed by the Federal Trade Commission and other regulatory agencies.
Save the Cookies
In response to the European Commission proposal, the UK's Interactive Advertising Bureau has begun a campaign called "Save our Cookies," claiming that a ban on the browser technology would cost British companies hundreds of millions of pounds in revenue.
U.S. privacy advocates add that banning cookies, which would be technically difficult or even impossible, is not the right approach.
"Not all cookies are bad and not all are used to profile," Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) legislative counsel Chris Hoofnagle told NewsFactor Network. "We're not against technology in general, and a ban on cookies seems to be a ban on technology."
News source: Yahoo! News
