Re: Defining Issue-5: What is tracking?

 John ­ the definition of tracking means very little if first parties are
able to take their own data and use it for ad targeting across the internet.
While I recognize that you may not be a big fan of third parties, I can't
believe that you think that's a good outcome for privacy or fostering
competition. And as someone who ­ in your own words ­ made the big
concession to "industry" that has now created this mess, it would be helpful
for you to communicate your displeasure about this rather than make
accusations about others stalling the process. If you do  in fact think this
is a good outcome for privacy or competition, I would invite you to
communicate this on the record as well.

That said ­ I liked Roy's working definition.



From:  John Simpson <john@consumerwatchdog.org>
Date:  Thursday, October 4, 2012 7:10 PM
To:  "public-tracking@w3.org (public-tracking@w3.org)"
<public-tracking@w3.org>
Subject:  Defining Issue-5: What is tracking?
Resent-From:  <public-tracking@w3.org>
Resent-Date:  Thu, 04 Oct 2012 23:10:28 +0000

> Colleagues,
> 
> As many of you may have seen, I've been up all night for the past two days
> following the "discussions" in Amsterdam making a nuisance of myself on IRC
> asking people to remember to speak into the microphone.  I've repeatedly heard
> calls for definitions, particularly that of "tracking."
> 
> I have long held the view that one is not necessary for the spec; you need
> only spell out how to send the DNT header and what your obligations are when
> you get one. However, in the spirit of a genuine desire to move toward
> consensus I recently offered a definition on the list.  So far only Roy
> Fielding, another one of us participating from afar, responded. Here is what I
> proposed:
> 
> "Tracking is the collection and correlation of data about the Internet
> activities of a particular user, computer, or device, over time and across a
> website or websites."
> 
> Here is a link to the email chain:
> http://www.w3.org/2011/tracking-protection/track/issues/5
> 
> May I suggest that those who have repeatedly been calling for a definition now
> offer one?  Otherwise I would sadly reach the conclusion that such calls are
> nothing but deliberate attempts to stall the process and undermine the Working
> Group's efforts.
> 
> As ever,
> John
> 
> ----------
> John M. Simpson
> Consumer Advocate
> Consumer Watchdog
> 2701 Ocean Park Blvd., Suite 112
> Santa Monica, CA,90405
> Tel: 310-392-7041
> Cell: 310-292-1902
> www.ConsumerWatchdog.org <http://www.ConsumerWatchdog.org>
> john@consumerwatchdog.org
>