Given the ease with which Internet users can be tracked online, the government should consider incorporating do-not-track provisions into its privacy legistlation.
|Report an Error|
Share via Email
As public concern over Internet privacy has grown in recent years, one of the first responses is invariably to focus on the need for improved disclosure through easily accessible website privacy policies. The policies provide information on how personal information is collected, used, and disclosed to third parties.
Cookies can be used for a single visit to track how a user arrived at the site or which pages they visit. Alternatively, some cookies are “persistent” since they remain on the user’s hard drive for months or years, often storing information such as language preferences or repeat visit data.
In 2003, the Privacy Commissioner of Canada was asked to rule on the privacy issues associated with cookies in a complaint against Air Canada. The commissioner ruled that “information stored by the temporary and permanent cookies qualified as personal information for the purposes of the Act.”
We do not regularly use “cookies” to track how our visitors use the site. Whenever we enable “cookies” to facilitate your transactions, we will first inform you.
Notwithstanding the assurances that no cookies track how visitors use the site, the site currently inserts at least five cookies on a user’s computer. Two cookies expire at the end of the visit, one lasts for the day, another remains on the computer for six months, and one stays on the computer for two years.
The site does not provide explicit information on the cookies, but it appears that several are related to Google Analytics, a commonly used service that analyzes website traffic and visitors. The cookies on the Prime Minister’s site can be used to track the time of the visit, repeat visits, how the visitor arrived at the site (search engine, link from another site), and how long the visitor stays on the site.
An additional cookie may be linked to a Twitter feed on the site. The Twitter cookie allows that service to track users who are logged into their account at the time and have not requested to stop tracking in their preferences.
The failure to properly disclose the site’s privacy practices points to three issues. First, the use of sample privacy policies may often create problems since websites collect and use personal information in different ways.
Second, websites should regularly revisit their privacy policies to ensure that they reflect current practices.
Third, given the ease with which Internet users can be tracked online, the government should consider incorporating do-not-track provisions into its privacy legislation, thereby ensuring that user privacy choices are respected.
Michael Geist holds the Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-commerce Law at the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law. He can be reached at www.michaelgeist.ca.
- Forcillo 'lost (his) cool' in killing Sammy Yatim, Crown tells murder trial
- Updated ‘Canada is back,’ says Trudeau in Paris. ‘We’re here to help’
- New Canadian renounces allegiance to Queen right after citizenship oath
- Turkey refuses to apologize to Russia for downing jet
- Updated How to avoid bad investment advice: Mayers
- Do you know ‘Ken’? Toronto police are looking for him
- The public would be 'appalled': Peel police reveal sex-harassment records
- Video NEW Toronto Star Touch now on Android
The No.1 Palace Street apartments near the Queen’s London residence are planned for 2018.