BBI Urges Rapid Response To New Cookie Laws

Online, March 13, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Specialists in website development and management BBI are launching a programme to raise awareness about the EU's e-Privacy Directive on the use of cookies, small text files used to store website visitor information. The UK's compliance date of 25th May 2012 is fast approaching and businesses in the worst cases could face fines of up to £500,000 if their websites do not meet the new legal requirements.

BBI Managing Director Andrew Libra said that he and his team are on hand to support and advise companies on how to meet the changes. "It is important to note that not all sites will be affected and some types of cookies are not subject to the new regulations. This would include most session cookies, typically those that remember items added to a website shopping cart, which eliminate information stored once a transaction is completed. On the other hand, persistent cookies that can store your information over long periods for marketing or analytics purposes are very much in the frame. The first thing that companies should do is to get a professional audit of the cookies they have on their site to assess the steps they need to take, if any."

The e-Privacy Directive (The Privacy and Electronic Communications Directive (Amendment Regulations 2011 introduced in May 2011) radically changes the way that web visitors give their agreement to how cookies are used on sites they access. This means that website owners cannot store or access information from a user without their active consent being given.

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

The new law requires the web visitor to opt in instead and agree to the cookies used on that site. Information needs to be clear and up front. If they do not wish to opt in then some of the functionality of the site could be lost. Guidance on the new regulations can be found on the ICO (Information Commissioner's Office) website at www.ico.gov.uk.

BBI is a division of High Wycombe based online communication and marketing specialists MPS & BBI International,