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WHITE HOUSE ADMITS PRIVACY BREACH

Its anti-drug web site collected personal information

Posted on June 30, 2000

      The White House acknowledged on June 21/2000 that its own anti-drug office's Web site may have been collecting personal data about visitors in violation of federal policy. The disclosure came less than six hours after the White House endorsed an Internet industry initiative aimed at boosting online privacy through design changes to Web sites and browsing software.

      "Today, White House officials learned for the first time from the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) about certain practices by ONDCP contractors that could result in the collection of information about consumers and their Internet use," press secretary Joe Lockhart said in a statement. At issue is the use of "cookies," small bits of software placed on the hard drive of Internet users to determine, among other things, which online advertisements are seen by website users.

      Cookies can also be used to collect personal data about Web surfers. "We will take all steps necessary to halt these practices now," Lockhart said. "Specifically, ONDCP will halt the use of 'cookies' on its behalf." Lockhart said the anti-drug office had never "requested or received any personally identifiable information based on the use of "cookies."

      ONDCP has directed its contractors to destroy any data held by contractors and gathered through the use of "cookies," he said. Federal policy states that the White House and agency Web sites must have clearly posted privacy policies, and we will comply with those policies, Lockhart added. "In addition, we are committed to making sure that contractors of federal sites fully and completely meet those same standards."

      Earlier in the day, Lockhart announced the White House's home page on the Web would be among the first demonstrating a new privacy standard called P3P, along with that of the Commerce Department and 35 or so other pioneer sites.

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