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Feds May Soon Be Allowed To Use Cookies

Posted by timothy on from the it-looks-like-you're-building-a-bomb dept.

fast66 writes "The White House may lift its policy barring federal Web sites from tracking users' online behavior. In place since 2000, the cookie policy issued by the Office of Management and Budget was intended to protect citizen privacy but has sparked criticism — even from White House officials — for hampering citizen outreach. On Friday, Bev Godwin, the director of online resources and interagency development at the White House's new media office, blogged on the White House Web site, 'We want to use cookies for good, not evil' — and invited the public to comment on cookies through various online channels, including the Office of Science and Technology Policy blog."

4 of 181 comments (clear)

  1. For the computer savvy, this isn't even an issue. by the_humeister · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I delete all my cookies automatically every time I close Firefox. I run Firefox via a script such that all the Flash cookies (yes Flash cookies) are also deleted.

  2. Re:No problem by Actually,+I+do+RTFA · · Score: 5, Interesting

    If you don't like cookies, block them... What's the problem with that?

    I block cookies, javascript and all plugins (with the exception of my whitelist). The problem is that more and more sites annoyingly (and uselessly) require these to work. I'm fine not having a draggable map, but ever since GoogleMaps, every map site has become reliant on Javascript. Half the random sites bitch if I have cookies off. Etc.

    Much like the "works best in [Browser X]" these annoying additions are being used in the place of, not as a suppliment to, standard webfare.

    --
    Your ad here. Ask me how!
  3. Re:No problem by geekoid · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Stop spreading those lies. Cookies can be hijacks and can be leveraged for an attack.

    I know, I was paid to do that when I did security.

    Ever see the expression on a financial CEO's face when you hand them a list of customer information, account balances and passwords you get after 30 minutes of being on the job?

    Priceless.

    --
    The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
  4. Re:No problem by bluej100 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I'm a Javascript developer, and I use NoScript, because I'm frequently Googling for information and checking sites I haven't visited before. Almost any time a Firefox vulnerability is announced, NoScript already prevents the exploit. Besides, I don't want third-party tracking and flashy ads when I'm just browsing for information. I'm happy to add genuine web apps to my whitelist, but blog comment forms, for example, should never require Javascript to function.