Legal Issues: Persistent Cookies and the Government
Information Today, Vol. 26, No 9, p. 17, October 2009
3 Pages Posted: 11 Oct 2013
Date Written: October 1, 2009
Abstract
In 2000 the Clinton Administration implemented a policy of restricting the use of persistent cookies by federal agencies. Under that policy, which was confirmed in 2002 by the Bush Administration, agencies could not use persistent cookies or other Web tracking technologies absent a “compelling need” and only with the approval of the agency head. Agencies could still use session cookies to track users in a single browser session, but could not track activities through multiple agencies and cookies would disappear after the user shuts down the browser.
Recently, however, the Obama Administration is “considering options” to change this policy and allow Web tracking technologies, including persistent cookies, to be used by Federal Agencies. In late July, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) indicated that they are considering a new, three-tiered approach to the use of Web tracking technologies.
Keywords: Internet, cookies, privacy, tracking
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