The directive, intended to protect consumer privacy, requires that Internet users be informed of why each Web site wants to store individual info via cookies. Users will have to give their consent for cookies to be stored on their computers.
Neither customer-requested cookies (such as those indicating a paid subscription) nor necessary cookies (such as those that are needed when customers click to put a product into an online shopping basket) are covered by the directive.Exactly how to accomplish the purpose of improving e-privacy without hurting the user's online experience isn't entirely clear, however. Should a site provide the information via pop-ups, which many users find irritating and intrusive? Should it request that users indicate their preferences when they sign up? Not surprisingly, companies are confused about how to proceed.
Meanwhile, browse the YourOnlineChoices UK site to learn more about browser settings for cookies (see left), Internet tracking and related issues.
