When even the Information Commissioner's office is tracking us, who's left to trust?

I posted last month about cookie tracking, and now I noticed that none other than the UK Information Commissioner's website is also assigning me a unique number which does not expire until 2009!! Spot the referal tracking too? and what does "organic" mean?

I could not believe that this would be something the ICO Richard Thomas, would have allowed his office to set this up. I can't even think this was an oversight, as it is necessary to sign-up for the tracking system account before you can use it!

Interestingly, even googling for "information commissioner" gives me the warning that the website is trying to set a unique tracking cookie on my computer.
Before anyone posts saying it is anonymous, check the definition of anonymous -- "lacking individuality, unique character, or distinction", oops Mr ICO!

So much for warning of the big brother state then Mr Thomas!?

The ICO is an independent office of government, responsible for protecting access to personal information and providing access to official information. Covering the following legislation: Data Protection Act 1998, The Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003, and the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Let's see if the ICO practices what preaches regarding privacy any time soon...