Does your website comply with new EU-wide regulations on the use of cookies?

You may be aware from recent press coverage that as of 26th May 2011 the Privacy and Electronic Regulations (PECR) have been changed in the UK in order to comply with wider EU law.

The new regulations are much stricter. The most significant change concerns your website's usage of cookies or other locally stored objects that store information on your visitor's computer - you must now actively gain consent from every visitor to continue to use cookies.

Currently, many sites seek to gain consent by the wording of their privacy statements or terms of use. This approach is no longer valid under under the new regulations.

The Information Commissioner, who is responsible for PECR compliance in the UK, has recognised that the transition towards compliance for every website is difficult but that all website owners need to start preparations.

Compliance with PECR is a legal obligation for all UK organisations which the ICO will seek to enforce.

We can help - Cookie Audit

Imaginit has launched its new Cookie Audit service to help organisations meet the ICO's current requirements. We provide a fully comprehensive service to audit your site to identify cookies in use, work with you to eliminate any unnecessary cookies, asses intrusiveness and provide you with a comprehensive statement that you can make available to your website visitors. Dependant upon the outcome of the Cookie Audit we can then help you develop any mechanisms to gain consent from your visitors.