ICO Issues Fresh Warning on Compliance of Advertising Cookies with Data Regulations

The Information Commissioner’s Officer (ICO) has issued a fresh warning to organisations to ensure their advertising cookies are compliant with data regulations. Last November, the ICO warned 53 of the UK’s top 100 websites about potential enforcement action if they did not make changes to comply with data protection laws.

According to Stephen Almond, executive director of regulatory risk at the ICO, there has been a positive response to the call to action. Out of the 53 organisations contacted, 38 have already made their cookies banners compliant, and four more have committed to reaching compliance within the next month.

Almond also mentioned that some companies are exploring alternative solutions such as contextual advertising and subscription models. However, the ICO expects all websites using advertising cookies to provide users with a fair choice regarding their consent.

The ICO plans to extend their efforts beyond the top 100 websites and continue their cookie compliance campaign. They will also be utilizing AI technology to identify non-compliant cookie banners and will host a hackathon to explore the implementation of this solution.

Organisations are advised to take action now to ensure compliance with data regulations surrounding cookies. While the upcoming Data Protection and Digital Information (DPDI) bill will bring changes to cookie laws, websites will still need to obtain consent for using third-party cookies and make it easy for users to opt-in or opt-out.

The ICO’s continued focus on cookie compliance highlights the importance of data protection and privacy in the digital age. Organizations that fail to comply may face consequences, so it is crucial for them to prioritize data regulations and user consent when it comes to advertising cookies.