Governmental internet information collection: Cookies placing personal privacy at risk

Abstract

EDITOR'S SUMMARY The U.S. government has been lax in implementing website policies to protect personal privacy, and it actively uses cookies to track site visitors' activities. Collecting user information is prevalent across the web, with personal information frequently resold for marketing as well as illegitimate purposes. Government policy statements in 2000 and 2010 authorize cookie use on agency websites, acknowledging privacy concerns and requiring clear notice of cookie use and an opt‐out option. Though Internet users recognize the privacy risk of tracking, they fail to block cookies entirely on their computers. This lack of action may argue against any mandate for government to sharply curtail its use of cookies, but it should use technology solutions to minimize cookie use and maintain control over user information without sharing.