The Cookie Law, EU Cookie Directive, Cookie Law

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The Cookie Law - YES it will affect your business if you have a website!

The new Law requires businesses and other organisations to first obtain consent from visitors to their websites in order to store and retrieve information using Cookies.

The EU Cookie Directive was passed on May 26th 2011. The Cookie Directive requires website owners, businesses and other organisations to first obtain consent from visitors to their websites in order to store and retrieve information using Cookies.

It has been created to protect peoples online privacy. It aims to make online visitors more aware of how there information is collected and used by online companies, and allows them to have a choice in what websites can collect data on them.

All EU member states have to adhere to the Cookie Directive. Although they all have their own interpretation, the basic requirements of the Cookie Law remain the same.

Many people want to limit the amount of information that is gathered about them and want the choice to the kind of Cookies that their browser accepts and/or retains.

Almost all websites use cookies.

There are other technologies, like Flash and HTML5 Local Storage that do similar things, and these are also covered by the legislation, but as cookies are the most common technology in use, it has become known as the Cookie Law.

Cookies are used in many different ways on the web, the vast majority of them beneficial to visitors.

Cookies cannot be programmed and cannot carry viruses or install malware on the host computer.

They can however be used by advertising companies to track user's browsing activities without their explicit knowledge and help advertisers (among others) build profiles of users. Usually using this information to display more targeted advertising.

Some people are not comfortable about this happening without their permission.

'Website Cookies' If you are confused about 'Cookies' click here

May 26th - It is now law! Is your business covered?

The Cookie Directive that was adopted by all EU countries on May 26th 2011. The majority of website owners are not aware!

At the same time the UK updated its Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations, which made the EU Cookie Directive UK Law.

The majority of website owners are not aware but the law is already in effect in the UK. However The Information Commissioners' Office (ICO), the UK governing body, gave everybody one year period before they start enforcing it.

That period has ended on May 26th 2012 - What steps has your company taken?

What can happen to your business from May 26th 2012

Any website that uses cookies without prior consent could be fined up to £500,000

Legal implications: Any website found guilty of using technologies to track a user's browsing behaviour without their consent or sending unwanted marketing emails to consumers could face a fine of up to £500,000. This is the maximum penalty set by the UK. Other countries have already, or will set their own maximum penalties.

If your business needs help and advice on how to make your website cookie compliant, contact Blick Media today!

Who will this affect

The Cookie Law effects anyone who owns a website that uses Cookies.

Almost all websites use cookies and similar technologies. Especially company websites, e-commerce sites, and any sites that carry advertising. But the law extends down to the hobbyist website owner or internet marketers. For example If you use Google analytics or embedding videos from Youtube on your site these generate cookies which means you will have to implement some type of cookie compliance solutions.

		What you have to do, direct from the ICO
		You need to get informed consent from visitors to your site if you want to put a Cookie on their computer To comply with the new Cookie Law you need to get informed consent from your visitors before you use store and retrieve information using cookies. Just like the orange triangle, at the bottom, left hand side of this webpage. Please view video update from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) (displayed left-hand-side), or download 'Cookie Guidance' .pdf. Blick Media can install this for you, on all websites, contact us for more information.