Implementation of the 'Cookie Directive' in the UK
The so-called "Cookie Directive" 2009/136/EC came into
force on the 26 May 2011 in the UK. The Cookie Directive makes a
number of amendments to the Universal Services Directive
(2002/22/EC), the Privacy and Electronic Communications
Directive (2002/58/EC) (the 'e-Privacy
Directive') and the Regulation on consumer protection
co-operation between national regulatory authorities
(2006/2004/EC).
The directive is referred to as the Cookie Directive because its
most significant impact is to amend the e-Privacy Directive so that
users of a website must consent to cookies being placed on their
computers. A cookie is a piece of text stored on a user's
computer by the website operator or a third party, the purpose of
which is to collect information.
