ICO Warns 'Top Web Sites' to Make Cookie Changes

UK regulator the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has warned top web sites to make cookie changes to comply with data protection law, or face enforcement action.

The ICO says it should be as easy to 'Reject All; cookies, as it is to 'Accept All'. The organisation says that some web sites do not give users 'fair choices' over whether or not to be tracked for personalised advertising. Web sites can still display adverts when users reject all tracking, but must not tailor these to the person browsing.

The ICO has written to companies running many of the UK's most visited web sites, setting out its concerns and giving them 30 days to ensure their web sites comply with the law.

Stephen Almond (pictured), ICO Executive Director of Regulatory Risk, comments: 'We've all been surprised to see adverts online that seem designed specifically for us - an ad for a hotel when you've just booked a flight abroad, for instance. Our research shows that many people are concerned about companies using their personal information to target them with ads without their consent'.

The ICO will provide an update on this work in January, including details of companies that have not addressed its concerns.

Web site: www.ico.org.uk .