The EU's Privacy and Communications Directive comes into force today with one of the major directives concerning cookies. As Brian Kelly notes, "This requires user's consent before using cookies – the text files which are used for various purposes including storing browsing information." Many sites - and pretty much every institutional site - uses cookies routinely. This leads to a problem implementing the law: "One problem sites are wrestling with if the ICO insists on enforcement is a catch-22 where if people choose not to accept cookies, then sites will have to keep asking them if they want to accept cookies – because they will not be able to set a cookie indicating their preference."
On this website I face no such contradiction. The software assumes that each visitor is an anonymous entity - Anymouse - and unless directed otherwise loads the personal profile for that entity. No cookie required. Cookies will be set only if a person registers, and are reset only if they log in again. The registration page links to a privacy page that outlines, among other things, our use of cookies. I think the presumption of anonymity is important and have always supported the right to post anonymous comments on this website. So I'm pretty sure I comply with the EU regulations, but if I don't, I'm sure the EU will take the time to tell me.
On this website I face no such contradiction. The software assumes that each visitor is an anonymous entity - Anymouse - and unless directed otherwise loads the personal profile for that entity. No cookie required. Cookies will be set only if a person registers, and are reset only if they log in again. The registration page links to a privacy page that outlines, among other things, our use of cookies. I think the presumption of anonymity is important and have always supported the right to post anonymous comments on this website. So I'm pretty sure I comply with the EU regulations, but if I don't, I'm sure the EU will take the time to tell me.
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