The EU directive on web cookies:
a privacy warning too far?

This warning popped up today, while surfing the website of a large international nonprofit.

It was the first time I ran across a oblivious warning like that.

Apparently, this warning refers to an EC directive:

Third parties may wish to store information on the equipment of a user, or gain access to information already stored, for a number of purposes, ranging from the legitimate (such as certain types of cookies) to those involving unwarranted intrusion into the private sphere (such as spyware or viruses). It is therefore of paramount importance that users be provided with clear and comprehensive information when engaging in any activity which could result in such storage or gaining of access. The methods of providing information and offering the right to refuse should be as user-friendly as possible. Exceptions to the obligation to provide information and offer the right to refuse should be limited to those situations where the technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user. Where it is technically possible and effective, in accordance with the relevant provisions of Directive 95/46/EC, the user’s consent to processing may be expressed by using the appropriate settings of a browser or other application. The enforcement of these requirements should be made more effective by way of enhanced powers granted to the relevant national authorities.

And no, they don’t use paragraph formatting. It come from a legal journal, not intended for the joy of its readers.

Seriously, are we looking at a series of pop-up warnings for every website we visit? I mean, by setting my browser to accept cookies, I should be consentual enough, no?

What’s next? Will I have to sign a disclaimer before I visit a website, because that website writes caching data onto my harddisk?

This website took that idea for a funny spin. Try it out

Tagged as: privacy