Cookies Used to Tailor Ads
Wikipedia.org defines cookies as "small pieces of text, stored on a user's computer by a web browser; and [that] contain the user's settings, shopping cart contents, or other data used by websites."
Many web developers use cookies to track information about users in order to make websites work. For example, NPADO uses cookies to identify the form someone is filling out and allow him or her to return to the correct interview after generating a document.
Advertisers also use cookies to help them tailor ads. For example, in his post "Sugar-coated Corporate Speak," Seth Godin highlights a group of companies that are collecting information from cookies and selling information to advertisers to help them better identify potential buyers.
Is collecting and selling this data right? Wrong? Unfortunately, it's not a clear-cut call. Free content isn't really free. Someone is paying for it somehow. Often, advertisers are willing to step up and support news sites, blogs, and search engines. Yet, the data that is collected and shared can reveal a lot about people, threatening their privacy and anonymity. I'll admit that I'm torn. What do you think?
Interested in opting out from the initiatve that Seth describes? You can at the Network Advertising Initiative. - K
Thanks to @VBalasubramani who pointed out a browser add-on that opts you out of targeted advertising.
cookies are bad for the consumer and an invasion of privacy. They nmay also violate the Electronic Communications Privacy Act.