§ The Earl of Northeskasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the use of "cookies" to create online profiles of Internet users is contrary to the Data Protection Act 1998. [HL3948]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalIt is for the Information Commissioner, in the first instance, to give guidance on the interpretation of the Data Protection Act 1998. She carries out this function independently of the Government.
The commissioner has issued guidance on the implications of using "cookies" to build up profiles of visitors to websites. This is available on the commissioner's own website at www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk, or from her office at Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF. I have also placed a copy in the House Library.
§ The Earl of Northeskasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they agree with the European Parliament's Committee on Citizens' Freedom, Justice and Home Affairs that Internet users should not be warned in advance when a website installs a "cookie" on their hard drive. [HL3949]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville)The UK and other member states are currently considering the amendments proposed by the European Parliament's Citizen's Freedom, Justice and Home Affairs Committee to the Council's common position on the Communications Data Protection Directive, including the provisions on cookies, and whether there are areas where it would be right to compromise. The Council will take a collective decision on this.