EU Proposes Mandatory Cookie Preferences for Web Browsers
The European Commission has proposed a significant change to the ePrivacy directive, aiming to make web browsers enforce cookie preference settings before users can start browsing. This move, however, has sparked concerns among service providers and policymakers alike.
The new directive draft targets all web browsers, requiring them to implement cookie preference settings before users can access the internet. Currently, major browsers like Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox already offer controls for users to manage cookies, allowing them to choose what cookies get through and delete them at the end of a session.
The proposed rule, however, goes a step further. It aims to target users who are unconcerned about cookies and use default settings, rather than those who understand and manage their cookie preferences. This has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the measure, with critics arguing that forcing a choice on someone who does not understand it is pointless and does not empower them to choose more wisely.
The new ePrivacy directive draft, if implemented, could significantly impact services that rely on advertising to stay afloat, such as social networking, music and video streaming, and journalism. While the intention is to enhance user privacy, there are concerns that it may inadvertently encourage more people to block third-party cookies, potentially starving important services of revenue. Moreover, restricting targeted advertising could make it harder for serious news outlets to compete, potentially leading to a rise in 'fake news' and loss of trust in established facts.
