Belfast News: Would You Like A Cookie?

Cookies Anyone? It's a question that web users will be answering more and more, as from the 25th May 2011, new European Legislation dictates that sites employing 'cookies or text files' to track their visitors must have 'explicit consent'.

As such businesses using websites, that employ cookies are being 'urged' to decide a strategy for obtaining the required 'consent' from their users and visitors. Given that the law will require 'explicit consent' any business operating in this way, will have to make their declaration in advance of downloading their cookie and only once the user has given express consent.

The changes come as a result of the European e-Privacy Directive and this change is reported to be an attempt to 'protect privacy' and limit 'behavioural advertising'.

Cookies are now widespread across the Internet and for the most part seen as an aid, by responsible sites, presenting useful tips, products and navigation based on their previous use of the sites they visit. However, 'behavioural advertising', involves tracking users across websites, using their 'behaviour' to create a profile and direct specific advertising towards that user and it is this 'surveillance' that companies will now need explicit consent for.

Editorial

The one piece of bad news in this new regulation, is that it is to be policed by the Information Commissioner, Christopher Graham. The past history of his office in processing casework in a timely fashion is outrageous. So should you find your rights under this new piece of European Law are violated, you could see little or no action, for a very long time. It is not the first time Simply Belfast has called for the resignation of the Information Commissioner and given the scope for people's rights to be trampled on by companies employing 'behavioural advertising', it won't be the last!

Last Updated: 8th March 2011