BBI has just launched a full website cookie auditing programme to prepare businesses for full compliance with the EU e-Privacy Directive’s new rules on cookies, due to come into force for UK hosted websites next year. 

The e-Privacy Directive, introduced on 26th May 2011, radically changes the way that web visitors give their agreement to how cookies are used on sites they access (cookies are text files employed on websites for a variety of visitor identification reasons).

Previously, websites had to tell people how they used cookies and inform them how they could opt out if they had objections. Many companies provide this information tucked away discreetly as part of their privacy policies.

The new law requires the web visitor to opt in instead and agree to the cookies used on that site before gaining access. So website owners cannot store or access information from the terminal of a user without their active consent being given. This means that comprehensive explanation also has to be provided to the site visitor about the purposes of storing and accessing their information before they make their decision to go ahead and enter the site.

UK hosted websites have one year to comply with the new rules, so BBI recommends that now is the time for businesses to start the first stage, which should be to have a full audit conducted on all cookies on their site.

Further information can be found on the BBI Cookie Law Compliance page.