Changes Are Coming To the EU's Cookie Directive, But It's Not Going Away (softpedia.com)

An anonymous reader writes: The European Commission is listening to suggestions regarding EU laws on privacy and electronic communications (e-Privacy), among which is also the EU Cookie Directive that has made the lives of EU Internet users a living hell. The EU Commission has started an open consultation on this topic and is inviting users and businesses to provide their opinion. From the consultation's text, which is nothing more than a survey, one could argue that the EU isn't intent on removing the directive at all, but only making small adjustments. In its current implementation, most companies ask users if they're OK with storing cookies on their PCs and then collecting their data. One of the questions the Commission asked and is currently looking for an answer is whether companies should be allowed to deny users access to a website if they don't want to accept using cookies. The EU wants Internet companies to build alternative (usable) websites for people that don't want to use cookies at all, and so respect their decision for privacy.

Comments

Websites don't store cookies; web BROWSERS do that

[Anonymous Coward]

None of this is going to make sense as long as the laws continue to be so completely disconnected from the reality. If a user wants or doesn't want to use cookies, then they have already instructed their browser to take the appropriate action, and it will be perfect in a way that the laws cannot even begin to approach.

Anything the governments do related to this, is irrelevant and wasted. The absolute best case that anyone can hope for, is that they'll do no harm. And that, realistically, will never be achieved.

Here's mine

[Anonymous Coward]

Your browser uses cookies. You have the power to disable cookies in your browser settings. This website may only request that a cookie be stored, it can not force your browser to store the cookie or return the cookie at a later time. This website can not stop your browser from sending it cookies. Only your web browser can disable or delete cookies. You are even sending this website global session cookies that you or some other website asked to be stored, and there is no possible way for the operators of this website to stop you from doing so. By sending cookies to this website you consent to sending cookies to this website.

Only you can prevent cookies, and you have always had the power to do so. The EU legislators are morons, and it is impossible for this website to actually comply with their insane demands.

Re:This right here...

[LWATCDR]

I used cookies to keep track of the last message that users read and what files for download had been updated. It was a long time ago but you can use cookies for things other than tracking users for ads.
Frankly I thought I was respecting the user's privacy by storing that info on their system vs keeping it in a database.