Hacker News Reader

Comment by random5634 | Hacker News Reader

I control who sets cookies on my machine. We all do. Don't like them? Block them.

What is gained, SERIOUSLY, by these stupid pop-ups? I'm serious, has anyone analyzed this? It really shows how the heavy hand of govt has ZERO cost/benefit constraint or analysis. Browsing on phones is particularly painful.

I wish we could just set an accept all cookies header in our browser and govt would let these websites then stop displaying these damn notices, banners and consent boxes.

The GPDR ones (if you use euro websites) are getting even crazier.

View on HN

> What is gained, SERIOUSLY, by these stupid pop-ups?

I appreciate the ability to allow "required" cookies, but reject all other cookies.

I agree that I would absolutely prefer an HTTP header for cookie preferences instead of pop-ups. But the new cookie popups add some value to me, in letting me allow session authentication cookies, and reject all others.

An outright block on all local cookies tends to break authentication for many sites.

Why not have a setting or two in Firefox/Chrome/Safari menu:

  - reject all cookies
  - allow only required cookies
  - allow all cookies

And never to have to fall into 100s of different dark patterns by people who have spent dozens of hours coming up with solutions that would basically trick people in clicking whichever button is highlighted (usually the "accept all cookies" one) just so they can browse some content?

Well, that would require some kind of interoperability between the client and the website (like an HTTP header that sends cookie events).

I absolutely would prefer that to the world we have now. I'm all on board, you don't have to convince me it's a good idea.

But, that doesn't exist today. I do prefer having the stupid annoying popup that gives me the option to allow only required cookies to having no choice at all.

The new GDPR compliant cookie popups give me that option. It's a step up above not having the option at all.

See "do not track" for how that goes. Remember, people that do actively make the choice to design such a popup to trick you, they do not intend to use the solution that respects your interests best. And at the same time, it makes sense that legislation refrains from requiring specific technologies.

> What is gained, SERIOUSLY, by these stupid pop-ups?

Disclosure

Reply on news.ycombinator.com