Should the government allow federal Web sites to use web-tracking technologies like cookies?
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) within the White House is pondering that question and wants your input. Federal agencies have been banned from using web-tracking technologies since 2000, but a lot has happened in nine years, and OMB is now looking into whether government Web sites should accept cookies.
“The goal of this review is to develop a new policy that allows the Federal Government to continue to protect the privacy of people who visit Federal websites while, at the same time, making these websites more user-friendly, providing better customer service, and allowing for enhanced web analytics," Michael Fitzpatrick, an associate administrator with the OMB office of information and regulatory affairs, and CIO Vivek Kundra wrote in a blog post.
OMB is considering a tiered approach to cookie use, and has also come up with several principles that Web sites would have to follow:
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) within the White House is pondering that question and wants your input. Federal agencies have been banned from using web-tracking technologies since 2000, but a lot has happened in nine years, and OMB is now looking into whether government Web sites should accept cookies.
“The goal of this review is to develop a new policy that allows the Federal Government to continue to protect the privacy of people who visit Federal websites while, at the same time, making these websites more user-friendly, providing better customer service, and allowing for enhanced web analytics," Michael Fitzpatrick, an associate administrator with the OMB office of information and regulatory affairs, and CIO Vivek Kundra wrote in a blog post.
OMB is considering a tiered approach to cookie use, and has also come up with several principles that Web sites would have to follow:
- Adhere to all existing laws and policies (including those designed to protect privacy) governing the collection, use, retention, and safeguarding of any data gathered from users;
- Post clear and conspicuous notice on the Web site of the use of web tracking technologies;
- Provide a clear and understandable means for a user to opt-out of being tracked; and
- Not discriminate against those users who decide to opt-out, in terms of their access to information.
