As noted by David Moth in Google’s Internet privacy row with Apple highlights problems with EU cookie laws,
“Safari blocks websites from using cookies without user consent, but Google’s code circumvented this by making the browser think that the user was interacting with the web page by filling out a form.”
Internet privacy related laws and regulations are obsolete almost as soon as they’re written because data mining technology develops at such a rapid pace.
That being said, U.S. politicians are huffing and puffing about this latest online privacy issue. Expect the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to review whether Google’s conduct has violated the company’s prior settlement of FTC claims. If so, expect a slap on the wrist fine with a “don’t do it again” warning that doesn’t mean much given what’s being used now to collect data from Web users without consent or knowledge.
Internet privacy is almost an oxymoron.