Internet Cookies

1. Introduction

The Internet is an incredible tool now being used globally. One can connect with others around the world with only a few mouse clicks. People can shop online, use services and follow the news worldwide.

However the capabilities of the Internet also allows for an inexpensive collection of substantial amounts of personal information. This raises issues about one's personal privacy whilst browsing the net. The collection of the information is done via an Internet cookie. An Internet cookie is "a piece of text stored on a user's computer by their Web browser" (Wikipedia).

This implies that when a user is browsing a website that supports cookies, the cookie is sent from the server of the website to the user's hard drive where it is saved. If the user decides to revisit the same Web page at a later date, the cookie can be transferred back to the server by the Web browser when it reconnects. The server can then scan the cookie in order to find which user is connecting to it. Therefore the initial and main objective of the cookie is to provide a state to the Web browsing process. (Internet cookies: Security implications, Simon Perkins, May 3, 2000). The cookie makes it easier for users to access a website without going through a lengthy identification process.

Cookies are also now used to save site preferences, login usernames and create shopping carts that track the progress of a consumer through an online store. With this in mind the issues on information privacy on the Web need to be considered.

Furthermore the usage of Internet cookies will be elaborated on and the privacy thereof. Reference will be made to South Africa's Internet law on cookies and The United States of America's Internet law on cookies.

2. Usage of cookies

According to the main objective of cookies it is evident that the use of cookies makes the Web more user friendly. However there are less admirable uses of cookies as well. Cookies are used by advertisers as a device to track users browsing and buying behavior. It also track sites users visit and the period spent on such sites. Thus the privacy of users can be invaded by the use of cookies. However cookies cannot be used to collect information about a user, unless a user provided information at some stage. (cited)

2.1 Customized homepages

Cookies can be used to create customized homepages or personalized websites. The user will choose customized preferences and for each customization a cookie is created and sent to the users hard- drive. Whenever a user returns to that specific Web page the cookie is sent to the server to identify the user's preferences. This is not possible without cookies. The user will have to re-enter all preferences each time the site is revisited.

2.2 Online stores

Online stores are becoming widespread in South Africa. (Cited) Internet users are becoming conscious of online stores and services. Online stores use cookies to keep track of users shopping carts and purchasing process. When a user shops online, the site sends a cookie with an identification number of the users shopping cart to the user's hard-drive. The cookie keeps track of all the items in the shopping cart. When the user checks out to purchase the items all the items are listed in the shopping cart. Without cookies online shopping will be a tenuous process. Users will need to keep track of each item and will have to type out each item on checkout in order to purchase all the items at once. (cited)

3. Privacy issues on cookie usages

The usage of cookies enhanced the Web browsing experience, as mentioned. On the other hand in order for users to have the enhanced browsing experience users need