Re: Today's call: summary on user agent compliance

Some background on Canadian privacy law may be helpful.  The comprehensive federal privacy statute (PIPEDA) does allow for opt-out choice mechanisms in some cases.  But an opt-out mechanism is only compliant if it meets thresholds for transparency, ease of use, and other requirements.

At the W3C workshop in Princeton, a representative of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner voiced that the current self-regulatory opt outs fall short.  The OPC issued a new position paper this past week; it does not directly address the legality of current practices (owing to a prudential limit on advisory opinions), but in a plain reading the NAI/DAA/IAB Canada programs are quite deficient.

In sum: online advertising companies may currently operate in violation of Canadian law.  Do Not Track could bring them into compliance—but it certainly won't if companies ignore the most popular browser's implementation.

Jonathan  


On Saturday, June 9, 2012 at 12:49 AM, Ian Fette (イアンフェッティ) wrote:

> On Fri, Jun 8, 2012 at 7:56 PM, Tamir Israel <tisrael@cippic.ca (mailto:tisrael@cippic.ca)> wrote:
> > Hi Ian,
> >  
> >  
> > On 6/8/2012 10:03 PM, Ian Fette (イアンフェッティ) wrote:  
> > > Tamir and others,  
> > >  
> > > I don't think the point is to say "a server merely notifies the user they will ignore their DNT-1 signal, that this is sufficient to gain user consent for server tracking.".  
> > >  
> > > Many jurisdictions don't require explicit opt-in consent for "server tracking". Take the US for example. In this case, as long as we're not promising something that we fail to deliver, there is no problem here.  
> > >  
> > > I think you are getting hung up on the case where, in some countries depending on what finalized legislation comes out, there might be a requirement to obtain explicit opt-in consent. I agree with you that the mere act of rejecting the user's DNT:1 signal is not explicit opt-in consent in that context, and the website would probably have to take further steps to obtain that explicit opt-in consent. But that does not need to be the problem of this working group or specification.  
> > The issue I'm trying to address is a scenario where opt-out consent is required. Functionally, the Canadian system operates much like the US in practice (servers are seemingly free to track without asking [as long as there is a readily available mechanism for opting out]). Typically, U.S.-based businesses find this to be a benefit, since their Canadian implementations can match their US implementation (given our physical proximity).  
> >  
> > The similarities in regime break down, however, where a server rejects a DNT-1 (because it was set by default), and there is no alternate mechanism left for the user to opt-out. As the server can no longer rely on implicit/opt-out consent in this case, presumably they can no longer track.
> >  
>  
> I'm not sure I follow you. Surely, Canadian users can use the Internet today without hitting this legal dilemma. If DNT is not available as a negotiation mechanism, either because the site doesn't support it at all or chooses not to support it for a given set of user agents, then you are in the same situation that you are in today. Whatever mechanism are in place today are not going to cease to exist with the rollout of DNT. So, I would presume you would solve this situation the same way you solve it today.
> > >  
> > > The point of DNT is to allow a user to express a preference on tracking. The point of DNT is not to solve the EU regulatory debacle, or any other country-specific regulations. If it can be useful in that manner, then great, but I continue to question whether we should allow this working group to get continually railroaded into trying to solve country-specific regulatory problems.  
> > The group may well decide to leave it to regulators in various countries to decide how to solve their own specific regulatory problems around the spec, but I think it is fully legitimate to at least attempt to address these here.
> >  
>  
> I agree it's worth understanding what it would take to address them and try to do so if it's at zero to no cost, however lately it seems like it has become the primary focus and adding great complications, as opposed to an add-on to be done if it's straightforward.  
>   
> > Best regards,
> > Tamir
> >  
> >  
> > >  
> > >  
> > >  
> > > On Fri, Jun 8, 2012 at 10:59 AM, Tamir Israel <tisrael@cippic.ca (mailto:tisrael@cippic.ca)> wrote:
> > > > Hi Shane,
> > > >  
> > > > I want to reiterate what I said earlier on -- I understand there is already an agreement on defaults in the group, and it is not my intention to question that.
> > > >  
> > > > However, in this context, I'm not clear that where a server merely notifies the user they will ignore their DNT-1 signal, that this is sufficient to gain user consent for server tracking.
> > > >  
> > > > Let me explain. The basis for tracking under the current spec is that the server is gaining implicit, opt-out consent to track the user. The 'opt-out' consent is mediated through the UA's browser mechanism. Now, if the server is saying 'I will ignore your DNT-1 because I deem it non-compliant', there is no longer an opt-out consent mechanism in place for the server to rely on.
> > > >  
> > > > Best,
> > > > Tamir  
> > > >  
> > > >  
> > > > On 6/8/2012 11:29 AM, Shane Wiley wrote:
> > > > > Tamir,
> > > > >  
> > > > > While I agree it does add a degree of uncertainty initially, as long as the outcome is completely transparent to the user then I believe the appropriate outcome has been reached.
> > > > >  
> > > > > We are attempting to resolve this in the specification by appropriately signaling to a user that they will not honor the DNT signal from a specific UA.
> > > > >  
> > > > > - Shane
> > > > >  
> > > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > > From: Tamir Israel [mailto:tisrael@cippic.ca]
> > > > > Sent: Friday, June 08, 2012 8:11 AM
> > > > > To: Shane Wiley
> > > > > Cc: Jeffrey Chester; Ninja Marnau; Rigo Wenning; ifette@google.com (mailto:ifette@google.com); Bjoern Hoehrmann; David Singer; public-tracking@w3.org (mailto:public-tracking@w3.org) (public-tracking@w3.org (mailto:public-tracking@w3.org))
> > > > > Subject: Re: Today's call: summary on user agent compliance
> > > > >  
> > > > > Hi Shane,
> > > > >  
> > > > > I suppose the question is what the objective here is.
> > > > >  
> > > > > Allowing any entity to unilaterally question the validity of a facially
> > > > > valid signal introduces a great degree of uncertainty into the equation,
> > > > > and since this is an anticipated source of disagreement and confusion,
> > > > > it might be better to explore addressing it within the spec.
> > > > >  
> > > > > On 6/8/2012 10:16 AM, Shane Wiley wrote:
> > > > > > Jeff and Ninja,
> > > > > >  
> > > > > > I respectfully disagree and believe any standard that has outlined what a valid signal should consist of (in our case, that a user has activated this signal directly) then any signal not meeting the standard is itself non-compliant and therefore should allow Servers to appropriately respond to users that their current UA is non-compliant and therefore will not be honored - again, hopefully with options for valid UAs the user can access their free services with.  If the user doesn't feel comfortable with this outcome WHICH IS COMPLETELY TRANSPARENT, they can decide to keep consuming those free services with DNT not being honored, not access the free content from that particular site, or switch to a compliant UA so their DNT signal is honored while interacting with that site.  With transparent and clear messaging to the user, this places the power within the user's hands to decide how best to move forward.  I believe this is much better than the user being left in the dark, or alternately no publishers supporting DNT since they are forced to honor non-compliant signals.
> > > > > >  
> > > > > > Predictability - The user is clearly messaged in all cases - so outcomes are completely "predictable".
> > > > > I'm not clear that there is any obligation for the user to be clearly
> > > > > messaged here. In any case, how would that play out? User: don't track
> > > > > me; UA: server does not acknowledge. What's the next step here?
> > > > >  
> > > > > > Only for "uncompliant" UAs?  - Yes, but this is subjective choice by the Server and they must defend their position.  Since messaging is transparent, consumers can quickly raise concerns if they feel a UA is being ignored incorrectly.
> > > > > >  
> > > > > > Who decides wether a UA is "uncompliant"?  - The Server does.
> > > > > You are correct that ultimately, this could be referred to a regulator
> > > > > if the customer disagrees with the server's decision.
> > > > >  
> > > > > > Liability issues - disagree on your assessment of liability in this case as the claim is directly tied to a voluntary code and therefore the only legal enforcement is that the Server must follow through on what it says it will (contract).
> > > > > >  
> > > > > > Hindering privacy-by-default - It is FAR too early in the process to attempt to quote draft regulations that will go through tremendous change over the next two years prior to becoming a regulation in force.
> > > > > >  
> > > > > > - Shane
> > > > > >  
> > > > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > > > From: Jeffrey Chester [mailto:jeff@democraticmedia.org]
> > > > > > Sent: Friday, June 08, 2012 3:52 AM
> > > > > > To: Ninja Marnau
> > > > > > Cc: Rigo Wenning; ifette@google.com (mailto:ifette@google.com); Bjoern Hoehrmann; David Singer; public-tracking@w3.org (mailto:public-tracking@w3.org) (public-tracking@w3.org (mailto:public-tracking@w3.org))
> > > > > > Subject: Re: Today's call: summary on user agent compliance
> > > > > >  
> > > > > > I support what Ninja says below, and the concerns Jonathan raises.  There shouldn't be "cherry-picking" allowed in the spec.  When sites receive DNT, they should honor it.  The W3C should not develop a policy that permits the over-riding of requests/intent of global Internet users.
> > > > > >  
> > > > > > The key issue for us to address is the need to limit collection and retention.  I hope we can discuss and build support for a consensus on the proposal sent the other day by EFF/Mozilla and Jonathan.  Without meaningful collection and retention policy, we risk not having a spec that can receive the support from many stakeholders (esp civil society).  That is critical to the fate of the privacy and digital consumer protection debates, esp. both sides of the Atlantic.
> > > > > >  
> > > > > > Finally, I want to add that in my view and fairly quickly a site that doesn't honor DNT will not be considered "brand safe."  Responsible advertisers and brands concerned about their reputation will need to respect a robust DNT.  They will have to add DNT to the blacklist/whitelist systems in place.  It behooves us to continue to advance the process of ensuring monetization and privacy can thrive together in the digital economy.
> > > > > >  
> > > > > > Jeff
> > > > > >  
> > > > > > On Jun 8, 2012, at 5:26 AM, Ninja Marnau wrote:
> > > > > >  
> > > > > > > We are discussing two different issues here.
> > > > > > >  
> > > > > > > First is, I support that servers should give the users a clear answer wether their DNT request is honored. There should be an option to answer NACK.
> > > > > > >  
> > > > > > > Second is, a company claiming "We will honor DNT when it's coming from the following user agents" or "We will honor DNT from all user agents except for the following" (I am quoting Ian's example here) is honest - and I appreciate that. But whether it is "compliant" to the DNT recommendation or not, is up to us as a working group. It is our task to discuss whether we want the spec to allow this cherry-picking. (Don't get me wrong, companies can stll do so. But will they be able to claim DNT compliance?).
> > > > > > > I oppose this. I think the spec should state that when you receive a valid signal, no matter from what UA, you have to honor it in order to claim DNT compliance.
> > > > > > >  
> > > > > > > There are several reasons for this:
> > > > > > > 1) predictability
> > > > > > > David raised this point and I agree: "Defining that "I'll stop tracking unless I don't feel like it" as *compliant* makes it basically unpredictable what will happen."
> > > > > > >  
> > > > > > > 2) only for "uncompliant" UAs?
> > > > > > > If we open the spec to cherry-picking. Will it stop at "uncompliant"? Or will the spec just stay silent or explicitly allow for other motivations? Patent lawsuits, harming competitors, just feeling like it - for painting a very black picture.
> > > > > > > I don't support this as being considered DNT compliant.
> > > > > > >  
> > > > > > > 3) Who decides wether a UA is "uncompliant"?
> > > > > > > As long as there is no judgement by a competent authority, this is a very critical statement.
> > > > > > >  
> > > > > > > 4) liability issues
> > > > > > > If the spec allows to NACK the DNT requests of "uncompliant" UAs, and I site claims to "honor DNT from all user agents except for the following ..." it makes a legally relevant statement about these UAs. Which may lead to liability and claims for damages by these UAs if the judgement is wrong.
> > > > > > > If the spec is more open ->   issue 2.
> > > > > > >  
> > > > > > > 5) hindering privacy-by-default
> > > > > > > The proposed Data Protection Regulation of the EC explicitly asks for privacy by default. (Art. 23)
> > > > > > >  
> > > > > > >  
> > > > > > > Ninja
> > > > > > >  
> > > > > > >  
> > > > > > >  
> > > > > > > Am 08.06.2012 10:25, schrieb Rigo Wenning:
> > > > > > > > On Thursday 07 June 2012 18:25:27 Ian Fette wrote:
> > > > > > > > > A site is already under no obligation to conform to DNT. Would you
> > > > > > > > > rather have the user be clear that their request is being
> > > > > > > > > ignored, or left to wonder?
> > > > > > > > Precisely my point! Thanks Ian
> > > > > > > >  
> > > > > > > > Rigo
> > > > > > > >  
> > > > > > > --  
> > > > > > >  
> > > > > > > Ninja Marnau
> > > > > > > mail: NMarnau@datenschutzzentrum.de (mailto:NMarnau@datenschutzzentrum.de) - http://www.datenschutzzentrum.de
> > > > > > > Telefon: +49 431/988-1285 (tel:%2B49%20431%2F988-1285), Fax +49 431/988-1223 (tel:%2B49%20431%2F988-1223)
> > > > > > > Unabhaengiges Landeszentrum fuer Datenschutz Schleswig-Holstein
> > > > > > > Independent Centre for Privacy Protection Schleswig-Holstein
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