5thJun
The new EU cookie law and how it might affect you
A new EU cookies law came into affect in the UK on 26th May - this quick run down explains what cookies are, how your websites might be effected and what, if anything, you can do.
What's a cookie?
It's a small text file that a website stores on your computer. They contain bits of encrypted (hopefully) information, such as the date you last visited, products you've recently viewed or preferences you've set on the website itself.
Many websites, especially e-commerce ones, would not work without them.
What's the law?
In simple terms, that websites using cookies should only do so at the request of the visitor.
There are exceptions within the new law for the use of "necessary" cookies, such as those needed to add a product into a shopping basket.
Will it affect your website?
Generally we only use what would be considered "necessary" cookies on the websites we build, however the law does not exclude the use of analytic software.
Almost every website we've ever built has Google Analytics installed on it.
What should you do?
Assuming you are using Google Analytics.
If you're really concerned you have two options:
- We can remove Google Analytics from the website altogether ‐ but you'll have no information on your visitors.
- We can update your website so it asks each user if they don't mind Google Analytics setting a cookie ‐ but you will annoy your visitors and you'll only have 50% (or 30% or 70%) of the information on your visitors.
If you're mildly concerned then you could add a Privacy Policy (or update it) to include the fact your website uses Google Analytics. This doesn't officially cover you though.
If you're not concerned at all, carry on as you were.
What will we be doing on our website?
This is our opinion only. We're not solicitors. If you're unsure seek legal advise.
Personally, we'll be continuing to use Google Analytics, at least until the majority of government and publicly funded websites either remove Google Analytics or ask for their users permission.
Here's a few websites we've found still using Google Analytics:
In reality, browsers will need to change their default settings if this was ever to happen.
More information
- www.allaboutcookies.org - everything you could ever need to know about cookies, including how to manage them.
- www.ico.gov.uk - have a look at their "Opt In" statement at the top of the page.