Today I have some good cookie news and some bad cookie news. 1st the bad news - The most recent version of SpyBot Search and Destroy (a very popular anti-spyware program) is reported to be blocking cookies for all the major networks: Commission Junction, LinkShare and Performics. This report is unconfirmed at this time, but sounds credible. If anyone wants to test, please let me know. Now for some GOOD Cookie News:

“The Web Analytics Association (WAA) issued a “statement of principles” today with the aim of making a clearer distinction between spyware and cookies used in Web analytics applications, both of which are often flagged in anti-spyware applications.”

“Some anti-spyware software vendors target technology such as cookies. We feel that this is not only misleading but may needlessly alarm and confuse consumers,” Edwards said. “Our members rely on cookies to legitimately measure the effectiveness of their Web sites. The types of information they receive as a result of these cookies is clearly and conspicuously posted in a privacy notice detailing the Web sites’ practices. Anti-spyware software vendors should stop attempting to sell software by creating a false sense of fear around cookies.”

Read the rest over at Clickz. Analytics Group Takes Stand Against Spyware