Illinois auditor calls for Web privacy law

Illinois’ auditor general has asked the Legislature for a law requiring state agencies to develop and post privacy policies on their Web sites. In the report released this month, auditor general William Holland said Illinois lacks a statewide Web privacy policy, although 52 of the state’s 114 sites use cookies or user logs to gather information about visitors. Thirty of the agencies used cookies to collect data, the report said, 12 used both logs and cookies, and 10 used only logs.Of the 114 agencies with Web sites, 32 posted privacy policies—28 percent of the total, the report said. Of the 42 agencies using cookies, only seven disclosed the fact in their policies. The report said some of the policies were detailed and others limited.The Illinois Technology Office endorsed the call for uniform online privacy policies but questioned whether legislation is needed.