The head of a leading security software vendor denounced the use of data files commonly used by Google Inc. and other Web sites to track user activity, saying such sites should seek permission ahead of time. John Thompson, chief executive of Symantec Corp. in Cupertino, Calif., said the files, known as cookies, "are just as much an invasion of privacy as someone peering in my bedroom window." Most major Web sites - including Symantec's - use cookies in some fashion. Thompson said people are sometimes unaware a cookie had been created or what gets done with any information collected, such as to target advertising.
T-Mobile to handle German iPhone service
Deutsche Telekom AG's T-Mobile will be the exclusive carrier for Apple Inc.'s iPhone in Germany, where the gadget will go on sale Nov. 9. The iPhone, a combined cell phone-iPod media player that also can wirelessly access the Internet, will cost 399 euros ($553), including Germany's 19 percent value-added tax, said Apple CEO Steve Jobs and Hamid Akhavan, head of the T-Mobile International division. The announcement came a day after Apple said the iPhone would go on sale in Britain on Nov. 9 with service from mobile operator O2. It debuted in the United States on June 29, with service exclusively through ATT Inc.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Beware of cookies, Symantec exec warns
Cookies to collect Internet user data are a serious invasion of privacy, Symantec CEO John Thompson, quoted by an Associated Press report, said.
The Associated Press report also said the executive likened these cookies to "a peeping Tom."
The head of the security software vendor said he thought cookies were essentially spyware if people are unaware that a program has been downloaded on their machine to record the sites they visit and do not know what will be done with that information, the report said.
They "are just as much an invasion of privacy as someone peering in my bedroom window," he said.
Thompson was in Brussels to speak to EU regulators about Internet security and data privacy issues among others, the Associated Press report said.
He would not say if he thought the European Commission should flex its muscles on making cookies an on-demand option, merely saying "if the EU felt that was a problem, they might want to insert themselves here."
Thompson was further quoted as saying that he would want to know what the world's largest search engine Google would do with personal information if it takes over online ad tracker DoubleClick, a deal that is already stirring up data privacy rights advocates and companies concerned about the control the deal will give Google over online advertising and the personal information it collects from searches.
The Associated Press report also said the executive likened these cookies to "a peeping Tom."
The head of the security software vendor said he thought cookies were essentially spyware if people are unaware that a program has been downloaded on their machine to record the sites they visit and do not know what will be done with that information, the report said.
They "are just as much an invasion of privacy as someone peering in my bedroom window," he said.
Thompson was in Brussels to speak to EU regulators about Internet security and data privacy issues among others, the Associated Press report said.
He would not say if he thought the European Commission should flex its muscles on making cookies an on-demand option, merely saying "if the EU felt that was a problem, they might want to insert themselves here."
Thompson was further quoted as saying that he would want to know what the world's largest search engine Google would do with personal information if it takes over online ad tracker DoubleClick, a deal that is already stirring up data privacy rights advocates and companies concerned about the control the deal will give Google over online advertising and the personal information it collects from searches.
Digital peeping Toms
Email Print Normal font Large font Saved September 20, 2007 - 6:20AM
John Thompson, chief executive of Symantec, said the files, known as cookies, "are just as much an invasion of privacy as someone peering in my bedroom window."
Most major websites - including Symantec's - use cookies in some fashion.
Although some cookies are essential for remembering passwords and customising a user's web experience, they also can be used to create a profile of a user's online activities.
Thompson said people are sometimes unaware that a cookie had been created or what gets done with any information collected, such as to target advertising.
"I don't have an issue with people having cookies on their machine as long as I've been told one just got planted there," Thompson said. "I think there is an opt-in option here that should be available to everyone."
He questioned whether there is a "difference between a peeping Tom in the physical world and a cookie prying into my private affairs in the digital world."
Thompson was in Brussels to speak to EU regulators about such issues as Internet security and data privacy.
He would not say if he thought the European Commission should flex its muscles and require user permission for cookies, merely saying "if the EU felt that was a problem, they might want to insert themselves here."
Thompson said he would want to know what Google would do with personal information if it takes over online ad tracker DoubleClick - a deal that is already raising concerns about the control the deal would give Google over online advertising and data it collects about search terms.
Google has tried to soothe EU concerns, cutting the time it retains data from 24 months to 18 months.
The company also agreed to shorten the life span of its cookie, though it's not clear whether the move would do much to enhance privacy because the expiration date could get automatically extended when users revisit the search engine.
AP
John Thompson, chief executive of Symantec, said the files, known as cookies, "are just as much an invasion of privacy as someone peering in my bedroom window."
Most major websites - including Symantec's - use cookies in some fashion.
Although some cookies are essential for remembering passwords and customising a user's web experience, they also can be used to create a profile of a user's online activities.
Thompson said people are sometimes unaware that a cookie had been created or what gets done with any information collected, such as to target advertising.
"I don't have an issue with people having cookies on their machine as long as I've been told one just got planted there," Thompson said. "I think there is an opt-in option here that should be available to everyone."
He questioned whether there is a "difference between a peeping Tom in the physical world and a cookie prying into my private affairs in the digital world."
Thompson was in Brussels to speak to EU regulators about such issues as Internet security and data privacy.
He would not say if he thought the European Commission should flex its muscles and require user permission for cookies, merely saying "if the EU felt that was a problem, they might want to insert themselves here."
Thompson said he would want to know what Google would do with personal information if it takes over online ad tracker DoubleClick - a deal that is already raising concerns about the control the deal would give Google over online advertising and data it collects about search terms.
Google has tried to soothe EU concerns, cutting the time it retains data from 24 months to 18 months.
The company also agreed to shorten the life span of its cookie, though it's not clear whether the move would do much to enhance privacy because the expiration date could get automatically extended when users revisit the search engine.
AP
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)