"we Value Your Privacy"

[10ClarionSt]

You will see this now on lots of web sites as you enter them. You will also be asked to accept spyware on your device before you can use these web sites that value your privacy so greatly and so caringly. Cookies,
key-loggers and anything else could be on there. I just think it's so hypocritical of these web sites to say they value peoples' privacy, then proceed to plant spyware on their systems. All in the name of money.

[spathiphyllum]

its a legal obligation in the EU for a website to make sure you accept their terms and cookies etc before you go on it.

All for that GDPR nonsense

[Old_Geezer]

Which was the wrong way to legislate. They ought to have banned defaulting to non-necessery data collection, and ensure no blocking of access to those who don't voluntarily turn spyware on. Not all this nonsense about the surfer having to agree before getting access.

[spathiphyllum]

That kind of is what they were trying to get at. For example now, when you buy things etc.. shops can't automatically put you on their newsletter feed, you have to specifically accept it. Anything that's automatically ticked (and if you don't untick it, you will be subscribed to some crap) is in theory illegal.

[Zacs-Master]

Previously they just planted cookies anyway. Which would you rather have? Cookies aren’t really spyware either. It’s very easy to install a blocker.

[10ClarionSt]

I think I've made my position clear, Zacs.

[Zacs-Master]

Yep, one of blissful ignorance.

[Old_Geezer]

If they hold or can be collated to see where you've been and what you've looked at, that's spyware.

[10ClarionSt]

And you're worth a dose of that Zacs. Very much so.

[Zacs-Master]

But a cookie can’t (or isn’t supposed to) do that. And as I’ve said, there are blockers readily available. If you have an Apple device you can surf using ‘private’ mode, too.

[jno]

yes, you can surf privately in Firefox too. You can also arrange for your search history to be wiped every time you switch off (via Tools>Options, I think). The same is probably true of other browsers.

[Old_Geezer]

You still get ads "related" to other sites you've visited don't you; that's a bit of a clue re cookies. And non-abuse of privacy should be the default, not something folk have to jump through hoops for in the hope they may possibly have avoided being monitored, with any luck.

[Pyxis]

It has got to the stage that, unless the site I want to access is a reputable firm, and something specific I want as opposed to just browsing, I don't bother accessing it, when asked to accept the signing away of my soul.
So, they have lost me, and potentially my custom. Tough.