The Big Brother Watch organisation has spoken out against plans by the government to change the e-privacy directive, stating further invasions into computer users privacy in the online world as the reason that the changes shouldn't go through.
Director Alex Deane has already criticised the government for the way they handled the Google Wi-Fi data sharing issue, and he also believes that the introduction of this change to the e-policy directive will only further hinder web user's privacy.
His response comes after Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Ed Vaizey announced he was planning a range of new approaches to how privacy is managed online, including encouraging ISPs and websites to censor material in response to public complaints. He wishes to couple this with a service that allows customers to ask for mateial that is inaccurate or infringes their privacy to be taken down.
Vaizey was posed the following question in relation to the changes by a Conservative MP: "The ability not to have cookies exists on just about everybody's computer, but how many people understand it? It is a different proposition to have to say, "Yes, I want to be marketed at; I want people to know my preferences."
He replied "There is certainly a strong argument that the consumer should not only be able to opt in, but know about their right to do so. We are implementing changes to the e-privacy directive that strengthen privacy regulations in the online world, as part of our implementation of the European framework on electronic communications. We are consulting on those proposals, which could lead to changes to the privacy and electronic communications regulations and strengthen the Information Commissioner's enforcement powers."