Cookie notice on Thailandblog
The editors of Thailandblog received a number of reactions from readers about the cookie notification on the website. Some were angry about this and indicated that they did not want cookies. So it's time for an explanation.
Legally required!
The new cookie law has been in force in the Netherlands since June 2015. This means that websites that use cookies must report this to users with a so-called cookie notification. The legislator has stipulated that explicit permission must be requested for non-functional cookies and, in line with this, must be able to prove five years after placement that we have requested and received permission.
Every website places cookies
Readers of Thailand blog who rule with the comment: 'I don't want cookies!' unfortunately do not understand what it is all about. Every website you visit places cookies (even if they don't report it). If you don't want that, you should stop visiting websites.
There are two types of cookies: Functional cookies and non-functional cookies. Functional cookies ensure that the website works properly and improve the user experience. Most websites, including Thailandblog, also use services and links from third parties, including Google Analytics (statistics), Google Maps (maps) Youtube (videos) or Add This (social media). These parties can also place cookies on the Thailandblog website and these are often non-functional.
Although these cookies are placed by a third party, Thailandblog is still responsible as the owner of the website. The main consequence of the legislation is that we are in violation if a non-functional cookie is placed without the explicit permission of the visitor.
Cookies are placed on Thailandblog by the advertisers. This also happens when you visit a website of a newspaper (eg AD or De Telegraaf). That is insurmountable because Thailandblog is free and the advertising revenue is needed to cover the operation of the website.
Because we want to comply with the law, the user will see a cookie notification on Thailandblog. You can only visit our website if you agree to the use of cookies (the so-called cookie wall). The main reason for this is that visitors are confronted with functional cookies, but also with non-functional cookies from third parties such as Youtube (you can watch videos on Thailandblog).
No cookies = no Thailand blog
Unfortunately, visitors who do not want cookies can no longer visit Thailandblog. We cannot adapt the entire website to this very small group.
One can of course go to another website about Thailand, but if there are videos and / or advertisements on it, they also place cookies. The fact that they do not report it does not mean that no cookies are placed. Some websites deliberately ignore this legal rule and thus cheat their visitors. Thailandblog does not want that. We comply with Dutch law at all times.
Do you want to know more about cookies and the cookie law: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cookie_(internet) en www.rijksoverheid.nl/
Note: Unfortunately, something went wrong when implementing a custom cookie script earlier this week. This caused the message to appear repeatedly. That problem has now been resolved. Our apologies for that.
It is also important that you regularly update your internet browser (Chrome, Firifox, Safari, etc.) to prevent the website from working properly when you visit.
Well explained.
Pretty pointless legislation. Implementing all those question and answer games costs millions and you can do very little with them.
You could also demand from road authorities, for example, that there is a warning sign before every intersection with a modern traffic light installation that your car will be detected, unless you turn around before the intersection. Then you would also wonder what on earth they are doing.
I have been one of the complainers because I no longer got the notifications from my screen, not because there are any notifications at all or that cookies are used.
The most important part of this article is in the post scriptum, namely "apologies for the inconvenience".
It is a show of character when people can admit that they have done something wrong. Cheers!
In addition to cookies, which in my opinion are quite harmless and which you can have removed automatically when you close your browser, websites also use a lot of trackers.
You will not receive any notification about this.
I have added an extension to my browser that allows you to see which sites receive a message about your visit to a certain website. Opening the website of the Waking Netherlands newspaper, for example, is already good for 19 of those things. I find that more annoying and more harmful to privacy than cookies.
Frans's response is rather pointless. He must go to the legislature for this. The editor's statement is completely correct. Every user of Google ads, Google Analytics and so on, has received an email from Google during the course of this year stating that a cookie notification must appear on the site before a certain date if the site is still to be used in the future. wanted to use those services. The privacy policy also had to mention cookies.
The question is therefore not whether this is useful, the question is whether the site wants to continue using Google's services (and also wants to continue using functional cookies).
This explanation is a bit short-sighted. You could certainly make a distinction between functional cookies and commercial cookies (ing bank does that, for example). You could give your visitors the choice to agree to only functional cookies. You state without any further evidence that only a small group wants to browse without cookies. I think you should first investigate whether that is the case before making such a statement. You use Dutch law as a basis, but I think (assumption) that your site does not run in the Netherlands, so this law does not apply. Anyway, I think it's all quite sloppy. Of course it is your site and it is not for free. But if you change something, make sure your arguments are correct.
Yes a good improvement for the website
I also grumbled on Thailand blog this week. Always that cookie story. But thankfully that is now over. Good to explain that something went wrong with the cookies.
I can get annoyed with all those whiners, now I say it nicely who get excited about those cookies, I think Thailandblog is a pleasant (free) change in an existence that is annoying for many, be happy with this daily change, think for many a reason to respond positively or not, and to feel important in doing so.
Thailand blog: don't worry about the vinegar pissers and keep it up, good luck.