IP tracking
13.2.2013
Question for written answer E-001574-13
to the Commission
Rule 117
Cristiana Muscardini (ECR)
The method used by e-commerce companies to recognise a user is the IP (Internet Protocol) address of his or her computer. It seems that, when a flight or rail ticket is booked via computer, the fare always increases after the second click.
According to consumers who have turned to the Le Monde blog in protest, this increase is the result of IP tracking. Naturally, both the rail company SNCF and the airline Air France have denied using this procedure. The consumers are not satisfied and do not accept being spied upon in secret by the companies they use for purchasing travel tickets via the Internet. In order to prove this, Le Monde’s readers have verified that the unfortunate coincidence of the price increase only happens when a booking is made from the same computer; it does not happen when an iPad is used.
Can the Commission say:
- 1.whether it is aware of these possible practices;
- 2.whether the use of IP tracking may constitute a criminal offence and, if so, which one;
- 3.what steps, if the French consumers’ fears are confirmed, could be taken to protect them and to guarantee maximum transparency in the relationship between companies and clients in the e-commerce sector, without users being spied upon without their knowledge?
OJ C 354 E, 04/12/2013