On 26th May 2012, the EU Cookie Law came into effect.
This EU ePrivacy Directive addresses the way in which all of us browse the web – and more specifically the manner in which each site uses our data. While consumers would do well to familiarise themselves with the key tenets of the EU’s Cookie Law, it is businesses that should be paying the most attention.
Every firm within the UK – or indeed anywhere in the EU – which maintains an online presence must now ensure that their website meets the guidelines laid out in this new EU directive.
Specifically, this means ensuring that you have the implied consent to use cookies as a means of tracking users as they navigate your site.
What are cookies?
Cookies are small pieces of data that are stored on your computer and are used to track browsing patterns as you navigate websites and interact with them. This enables websites to operate more efficiently and to provide cookie-dependent services such as a checkout facility.
Cookies are essential to the running of most websites, and the new Cookie Law does not seek to limit their fair usage. What it does do is compel businesses to ensure that they have the permission – or implied consent – of each visitor to use cookies.
How do you obtain implied consent?
There are several ways of ensuring that your site is complying with the new EU regulations.
One option, is to place a notice on the website to inform visitors that you are using cookies, and that in continuing to use the site, they are consenting to this arrangement. When implemented correctly, it’s possible to display a relevant notice to this effect without detracting from the browsing experience. This notice doesn’t have to occupy much space, but it should ideally be visible to anyone visiting the site for the first time – positioning it ‘above the fold’ on the landing page of the website may be one way to achieve this. In addition to providing a discrete notice regarding the use of cookies, it is advisable to insert a link leading to a separate page that clearly details the website’s Cookie and Privacy Policy.
Provided users know what type of data is being collected using cookies, how it is being used and why, your business should find itself in accordance with the EU’s Cookie Law.
Popular websites such as bbc.co.uk and guardian.co.uk have neatly complied with the legislation by affixing an unobtrusive banner at the top of their landing page, informing users that in continuing to browse the site, they are consenting to cookies being used.
How can I ensure my website has complied with the EU cookie law?
The best way to ensure your site accords with the Cookie Law is by consulting a reputable industry source.
At Decho, we specialise in helping businesses implement the latest industry practices in our capacity as web design experts.
There are a number of ways in which you can ensure your site complies with the new Cookie Law without compromising the user experience, and Decho can help you devise a sensible solution that fits.
If you trade online in the UK or elsewhere in the EU, contact us to find out more about the new legislation, and how it affects your website.
This post is in: Legislation, News, Web Design
