Iain
Well-known member
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- 924
On 26th May 2011, The Information Commissioner's Office passed a law which requires websites to gain visitors' consent to use cookies. The ICO gave webmasters 12 months to become compliant before they would start taking action against any that were no longer compliant. Some websites are handling this differently to others. You may have seen on the BT and BBC websites that they have commissioned a pop up box which asks for your permission to use cookies. However, on the Sky website they've simply added a new section to their Privacy Policy. I have it on good authority that Sky actually AREN'T compliant as the policies need to be seperate from each other.
I've yet to hear of anyone being fined for lack of compliance but the going rate is £500,000 if found guilty. Realistically a window cleaning company is hardly going to be fined this sort of money but there's no excuse to at least try to become compliant.
What is a cookie?
A cookie is a small data file that's stored on your computer, smart phone or games console that tells websites whether you've been there before. It holds absolutely NO PERSONAL INFORMATION whatsoever. You can actually disable cookies from being installed on your device if you really want to.
Does my website use cookies?
Basically, if you track visitors using analytics such as Google Analytics (which you really should if you have a website) then your website uses cookies and this new law applies to you.
What should I do?
The ICO has very little information and guidance as every website should be treated differently and require a different system in order to be compliant. However, as long as you at least make an attempt at being compliant, then you won't be fined. You should start by creating a Privacy Policy. If you don't have a Privacy Policy, then you need one pronto!
You should then create a Cookie Policy. This must explain to your visitor what a cookie is, what you use them for and what they can do if they don't want to use cookies. You must also explain that by using the website, they agree to your use of cookies.
What about if my website is hosted outside of the UK?
Doesn't matter. If you're a UK business or dealing with people in the UK, then you need to be compliant.
**All IGM Computers customers are 100% compliant with this new law.**
I've yet to hear of anyone being fined for lack of compliance but the going rate is £500,000 if found guilty. Realistically a window cleaning company is hardly going to be fined this sort of money but there's no excuse to at least try to become compliant.
What is a cookie?
A cookie is a small data file that's stored on your computer, smart phone or games console that tells websites whether you've been there before. It holds absolutely NO PERSONAL INFORMATION whatsoever. You can actually disable cookies from being installed on your device if you really want to.
Does my website use cookies?
Basically, if you track visitors using analytics such as Google Analytics (which you really should if you have a website) then your website uses cookies and this new law applies to you.
What should I do?
The ICO has very little information and guidance as every website should be treated differently and require a different system in order to be compliant. However, as long as you at least make an attempt at being compliant, then you won't be fined. You should start by creating a Privacy Policy. If you don't have a Privacy Policy, then you need one pronto!
You should then create a Cookie Policy. This must explain to your visitor what a cookie is, what you use them for and what they can do if they don't want to use cookies. You must also explain that by using the website, they agree to your use of cookies.
What about if my website is hosted outside of the UK?
Doesn't matter. If you're a UK business or dealing with people in the UK, then you need to be compliant.
**All IGM Computers customers are 100% compliant with this new law.**
