Pass the Cookies and Uphold the Privacy

Guenther, Kim

Computers in libraries 2001 21 (6)56-59
(ReLIS:jul:juljup:y:2001:v:21:i:6:p:56-59)

Abstract:

The use of cookies has no doubt received the most press regarding consumer privacy. In a previous column, 'Knock, Knock, Who's There? Authenticating Users' [March CIL, p. 54], I explained that cookies don't exactly authenticate a user, but rather they associate a user with a particular PC and authenticate the PC. On the surface this may seem benign, although the potential to collect data using cookies seems almost unlimited when it's tied to a unique identifier residing on the company's server. Concerns arise when collected information is used to push out additional sales information, such as via e-mail following a purchase, or when it is shared or sold to third-party vendors or marketers in order to influence your purchasing behaviors at other sites. Or it can even be given to different branches of the same company.

Keywords: Internet ; Bibliotecas digitales ; Derecho a la intimidad
Pages: 56-59
Volume: 21
Year: 2001
Issue: 6

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