Cookie law update
NEWS / Tuesday 24 April 2012
This year a new law regarding the use of cookies by websites will be enforced, meaning website owners could face hefty fines if they’re not compliant.
Cookies are one mechanism by which a website can identify a user. For example, most e-commerce sites use them to keep track of what you’ve added to your shopping basket, and Google Analytics uses them to log who visits websites, how often, and for how long.
However, last year the Information Commissioners Office introduced new legislation, at the request of the EU, to regulate the use of cookies. From May 26th last year, any cookie which is not required for your site to function must be opt-in, rather than opt-out. In practice this means that the e-commerce example above will not require any changes to be compliant with the law, but any use of Google Analytics must be opt-in. In addition, visitors to your site must be made aware of the cookies that you are storing on their machine, as well as why.
When the law came in to effect last year, the ICO granted a 12 month grace period to website owners, realising that the change would take some time to implement. This grace period ends on the 26th of May, and with the threat of fines up to £500,000 it’s a good idea to make sure you’re compliant.
The ICO has issued some guidance on the subject, and if you’re interested in seeing what a compliant website looks like, have a look at the banner at the top of http://www.ico.gov.uk/. As ever, if you’re in doubt as to whether or not your website is compliant, or if you would like some assistance to bring your website in line with the legislation, then don’t hesitate to get in touch.