Search Engines

[Richard]

I commonly use 'Google' search but now i am being asked to agree to 'Privacy' details allowing use of cookies and ads to track my queries before being allowed to use their facilities.
Presumably they need explicit permission but should I agree or find an alternative that does not track 'every move I make' ?

[Geoff]

Google already collect information about your searches and browsing behaviour if you are logged in to a Google account, what they are asking you to agree to is in preparation for a new EU policy about obtaining the end-users’ consent to do this.

Unfortunately the tightening of the regulations is going to effect 1066online too - to stay strictly legal I am going to have to instate something to make sure users agree to the use of cookies. Without these the forum won't remember when you are logged in for a start, plus there are many other concerns from a technical point of view.

The policy states that it is a website owners duty to obtain end-user consent to collecting the information. Sounds like hassle to me. Grrrr!

[Derek Jempson]

Yes, it is a hassle Geoff. It's the overweening EU "nanny knows best" policies that are to blame. Cookies have been around for years, silently collecting preferences, browsing habits etc. If it means that I can get information relative to my interests without searching for it, and be instantly recognised when I navigate to a site, I'm all for it. Why should those who are not doing anything illegal have anything to fear?

[Richard]

Google (and the rest) force unfair contract terms such that they can use adverts, at will, based on your browsing habits and can read your emails, and we are asked to agree or just find another service perhaps.
Royal Mail is legally prevented from interfering with mail, as is any UK email provider, but Yahoo, Google, etcetera are not UK companies, and an mail account with them is not governed by UK law.
Admittedly it has a 'junk mail' day.
Certainly Google et al. need to generate revenue, via adverts, to fund their service and methods to allow tracking of potential terrorist threats.

We are asked to allow Google to use cookies and yet every site I visit also seems to ask permissions ontop of this, like Russian Dolls, ad infinitum,

Ahh, the wonders of the modern world.