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Lawsuit Hits Companies Using 'Zombie' Flash Cookies

Posted by kdawson on from the brains-for-a-filling dept.

A privacy activist has filed a lawsuit targeting eight corporate users of Quantcast's "zombie" Flash cookies, in addition to Quantcast itself. The suit alleges that MTV, ESPN, MySpace, Hulu, ABC, Scribd, and others used Quancast's Flash-based cookies to recreate browser tracking cookies that users had taken the trouble to delete. "At issue is technology from Quantcast, also targeted in the lawsuit. Quantcast created Flash cookies that track users across the web, and used them to re-create traditional browser cookies that users deleted from their computers. These 'zombie' cookies came to light last year, after researchers at UC Berkeley documented deleted browser cookies returning to life. Quantcast quickly fixed the issue, calling it an unintended consequence of trying to measure web traffic accurately. ... The lawsuit (PDF)... asks the court to find that the practice violated eavesdropping and hacking laws, and that the practice of secretly tracking users also violated state and federal fair trade laws. The lawsuit alleges a 'pattern of covert online surveillance' and seeks status as a class action lawsuit."

11 of 140 comments (clear)

  1. primo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    I hate how Slashdot uses zombie flash cookies to try to keep from getting what the Italians call il primo post.

  2. And here I thought I must have been drunk. by JDmetro · · Score: 2, Funny

    And forgot to delete those cookies from that porn site I didn't go to.

    1. Re:And here I thought I must have been drunk. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      I have more bad news. It is a website now.

    2. Re:And here I thought I must have been drunk. by Tubal-Cain · · Score: 5, Funny

      What kind of fetish involves raping a man's barbecue?

  3. Zombie Flash Cookies by Anne_Nonymous · · Score: 3, Funny

    Zombie Flash Cookies. I'm sure they're bad for you, but you have to admit they sound like they'd be tasty.

  4. Re:OS X can use this program to delete flash cooki by qwertyatwork · · Score: 4, Funny

    Holy sudos, quick robin to the bat terminal!

  5. Winter Snowfall by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Your father unzips
    Hot semen blankets your face
    Like winter snowfall

    (now that's how you write a Haiku, you other anonymous coward retards)

  6. Hello World, er Apple by AnAdventurer · · Score: 4, Funny

    Are we on Apple's side again for being anti-Flash? (I lose track so easily)

    --
    6.8SPC TR of 550, l xwind at 6, drift rt at 26" drops 77". AT has 503 ft-lbs at 1403 fps. FT 0.86
    1. Re:Hello World, er Apple by tehcyder · · Score: 3, Funny

      Are we on Apple's side again for being anti-Flash? (I lose track so easily)

      It's now Wednesday, so yes.

      --
      To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
  7. Re:Save games by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    SuperDuperCrapCleaner has found potential malware on your computer: NTOSKRNL Delete? y/n $

    $ y
    $ System liberation successful

  8. Re:OS X can use this program to delete flash cooki by mdielmann · · Score: 2, Funny

    I think it would have been funnier if you had said "bash terminal".

    --
    Sure I'm paranoid, but am I paranoid enough?