Cookies are critical to the operation of modern websites. Much of the personalization and integration with social media on websites also relies on cookies.
However, they can be used in ways that do not protect users and are often used to track people on the web and create valuable profiles for companies and advertisers in targeted marketing.
This is often seen as an invasion of privacy, and because cookies are a fairly silent technology, this can happen without the user being aware of it or able to stop it, even if they want to.
In order to help users become more aware of this activity and provide the option to decide whether or not to give consent, new privacy legislation was introduced in 2011 that applies throughout the EU. This is known as the Cookie Law.
The Cookie Law requires websites to provide visitors with clear and detailed information about how they use cookies and offer ways for the user to signal whether they wish to give consent for such use, or not. The website is then legally obligated to respect the user’s wishes. This could mean a blocking of cookies the user does not like, or an inability to access their site. However, the possibility of choice should be provided.
Some websites therefore allow you to choose which types of cookies to give consent to or block, although in some cases, if you block them, you may not be able to use or see all the features of the site.
If a website you visit does not provide sufficient information or choice, and the company that owns it is based in the EU, then it could be a violation of the law and you can take action against the owner.
