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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.
There is a really easy, simple way developers can handle this. Don't use cookies by default. When the user logs in or adds something to their basket have the "you accept we use cookies, here's the privacy policy" text, but when the user simply visits the site don't set any cookies.
That would eliminate 90% of the annoyance and not place an undue burden on developers. It might annoy site operators who were hoping to create profiles of visitors, but fuck those guys.
const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
They already have little or no power to influence these decisions. The EU does whatever it wants without considering if the people will like it or not. And frankly, who can blame them? They are the smartest, best educated people in Europe and they are best-suited to lead. People aren't educated and can't lead themselves out of a paper bag.
I can't even imagine why the EU is soliciting advice on this cookie issue, what can the Great Unwashed tell them that their experts don't know already? My guess is, they're scared and fear their own power decreasing. So, they're going to make a few attempts at showing that they will change their stripes if only people will vote in the EU's interest instead of their own interests. Then they can dispense with these silly polls and referenda and get down to the business of ruling.
Shutting down free speech with violence isn't fighting fascism. It IS fascism!
I've never understood the problem with cookies. Websites don't control cookies, the Web-browser does.
The browser should only maintain cookies associated with the browsing window for as long as that window is open. There's no use in anything else. No timers of any sort, short or long, it gets ignored.
Now scripting, that's another kettle of fish altogether.
I hate 'webmasters' and how they think their job is to pull a fast one over the users.
ever look at yahoo's javascript, for example? its done on purpose to stop you from making meaningful global filters for adblock, etc.
the term 'webmaster' has devolved into something not worthy of respect (not sure it ever was, but now that web means 'content management engines' and not just content) and tricky ways to fuck you, the visitor, over, I am all for anything that makes THEIR lives harder and more painful.
see, they have become as slimey as salespeople and marketers. all people that are worthy of scorn and distrust.
they want to cry to me that they 'cant write web code' unless they force cookies and other stateful info on you?
fire them all and start all over again. 'nuke them from orbit' so to speak. the whole web thing is broken at this point and needs a complete redo anyway.
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"It is now safe to switch off your computer."