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332 points vegasbrianc | 2 comments | | HN request time: 0.405s | source
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uniqueuid ◴[] No.42144954[source]
I am kind of frustrated by the widespread misunderstandings in this thread.

Laws are best when they are abstract, so that there is no need for frequent updates and they adapt to changing realities. The European "cookie law" does not mandate cookie banners, it mandates informed consent. Companies choose to implement that as a banner.

There is no doubt that the goals set by the law are sensible. It is also not evident that losing time over privacy is so horrible. In fact, when designing a law that enhances consumer rights through informed consent, it is inevitable that this imposes additional time spent on thinking, considering and acting.

It's the whole point, folks! You cannot have an informed case-by-case decision without spending time.

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1. ApolloFortyNine ◴[] No.42147195[source]
>Laws are best when they are abstract, so that there is no need for frequent updates and they adapt to changing realities.

Couldn't disagree more, people (and even companies) have a right to know if they're breaking the law. Broad laws just make everyone (potentially) guilty. It's ripe for abuse and corruption.

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2. uniqueuid ◴[] No.42148496[source]
This is not what I meant. Laws are made concrete and understandable through either case law (harder for citizens to anticipate IMO) or through statutory interpretation in civic law traditions. Both (eventually) offer a clear understanding of the meaning and scope of a law.