From Sam Turner, Sandown:

I was interested to read the letter from the Isle of Wight Against Scams Partnership (CP, 16-10-20) two weeks ago

For all scams have to start somewhere and here is one of the main sources: cookies – the scammer's paradise.

Cookies collect everything about you, starting with your computer’s IP address – which uniquely identifies the computer in your house.

Cookies then go on to collect your name (with that your sex, possibly age also), your location and everything else they need to identify you.

The Nazis and Stasi had nothing on cookies.

I wrote to some leading organisations questioning their policy with regard cookies and their lack of embracing the spirit of the GDRP (General Data Protection Regulation), with most replying that they would review their policy.

Here’s a typical reply: “We appreciate you raising your concerns with us. The xxxx is currently looking into the use of cookies on its website. We are hoping that this work will soon be completed and the privacy cookies policy will be reviewed.”

While another replied thus: “Our company uses the standard privacy notice provided by our website host and this permits us to generate income for us via the use of cookies.

"This is a standard document and I am sorry it does not meet your needs.”

Thankfully, the IW County Press is one of those organisations that adheres to the principle and spirit of the GDRP but many companies and organisations still do not and this is worrying, if not terrifying.

My advice: if you cannot delete or reject cookies – don’t use the website.

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For all scams have to start somewhere and here is one of the main sources: COOKIES – the scammers paradise. Cookies collect ‘everything’ about you, starting with your computer’s IP address – which uniquely identifies the computer in your house. Cookies then go on to collect your name (with that your sex, possibly age also), your location and everything else they need to identify ‘you’. Put it this way: The Nazi’s and Stasi’s had nothing on Cookies – they simply couldn’t hold a candle to them.

I wrote to some leading organisations questioning their ‘open’ policy with regard Cookies and their lack of embracing the spirit of the GDRP (General Data Protection Regulation), with most replying that they would review their policy on Cookies. Here’s a typical reply: “We appreciate you raising your concerns with us. The xxxx is currently looking into the use of Cookies on its website. We are hoping that this work will soon be completed and the Privacy Cookies Policy will be reviewed.”

While another replied thus: “Our company uses the standard privacy notice provided by our website host and this permits us to generate income for us via the use of cookies. This is a standard document and I am sorry it does not meet your needs.” I did the underlining to emphasise how companies harvest our private and personal information around the world for financial gain.

Thankfully the IW County Press is one of those organisations that adheres to the principle and spirit of the GDRP – thank you CP! But many companies and organisations still do not and this is worrying, if not terrifying. My advice: if you cannot delete or reject Cookies – don’t use the website.

Read more letters sent to the County Press here. Do you have a view on this or any other subject? Send us a letter to editor@iwcp.co.uk