RE: Exemptions and Exceptions...?

John,

I agree and struggled to find a place in the specification where we have a true, 100% isolated "exemption" and the closest I could find was the "general" exemption for 1st parties (again, only "generally").

- Shane

From: John Simpson [mailto:john@consumerwatchdog.org]
Sent: Monday, January 30, 2012 10:56 AM
To: Shane Wiley
Cc: Rigo Wenning; public-tracking@w3.org; David Singer
Subject: Re: Exemptions and Exceptions...?

I agree with your understanding of the meaning of exempt and exception.  Nonetheless I'd be reluctant to say 1st parties are "exempt" from the DNT signal; they do have obligations. "Generally exempt" may be technically correct, but that usage may confuse things.  Better to spell out the obligations, I think: Can't share data with 1st parties, etc.


On Jan 30, 2012, at 8:40 AM, Shane Wiley wrote:


I thought just the opposite.

To be "exempt" from a rule means the rule never touches you.

An "exception" to the rule would mean the rule would typically apply but in this case there is an "exception".

In our context:

1st parties are generally "exempt" from the DNT signal (and cannot share data with 3rd parties as a loop-hole to the exemption).

3rd parties generally must not collect data when the DNT:1 signal is present but there are a few operational "exceptions" to this rule.

- Shane

-----Original Message-----
From: Rigo Wenning [mailto:rigo@w3.org]
Sent: Monday, January 30, 2012 9:35 AM
To: public-tracking@w3.org<mailto:public-tracking@w3.org>
Cc: David Singer
Subject: Re: Exemptions and Exceptions...?

David,

I learned the distinction like this:

general rule vs exception

a general obligation to do vs exemption

so: no obligation, no exemption
but: a rule can create an obligation and the exemption would be an exception
to that rule.

The first pair is more generic to me than the second pair..

But I'm not a native speaker...

Best,

Rigo

On Monday 30 January 2012 15:19:06 David Singer wrote:

This was raised briefly in conversation in Brussels.

Our documents and discussions use both words (Exemptions and Exceptions).  I
think Aleecia has a clear idea of their difference, but I know we don't all
share that clarity because I, at least, do not :-).

In my understanding, 'exemption' says that the requirements of our
specification do not apply to some class of services .  An exception would
be when the specification applies, but some class of services are excepted
from some of the requirements.

Example from taxation:  some goods in the UK are exempt from Value Added
Tax; the tax is inapplicable.  Some goods are zero-rated for Value Added
Tax: they are subject to it in theory, but have an exception and are
currently untaxed.


I'm not sure we have many 'exempt' classes (services that, receiving a DNT
signal, can ignore it, as it doesn't apply to them).  I think we mostly
have exceptions.


Aleecia, others, could you help clear my mind (and maybe others') on this?

Thanks!



David Singer
Multimedia and Software Standards, Apple Inc.


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