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There will be no immediate changes to how UK websites operate as a result of new EU rules, Communications Minister Ed Vaizey confirmed today in a letter to the online industry.

The European Union’s Privacy and Electronic Communications Directive comes into force at 00:01 hours on 26 May 2011.  It will require the user’s consent before putting cookies - small text

files that can help organise and store browsing information - on a their hard drive.

But there will be no overnight changes in the UK.  The Government - working with the Information Commissioner’s Office - has said that organisations and businesses should be given time to

come up with workable technical solutions before enforcement of the new law begins in the UK.  These solutions will be phased in over time as they are developed.

Communications Minister Ed Vaizey said: “We recognise that some website users have real concerns around online privacy, but also recognise that cookies play a key role in the smooth running

of the internet.  This Europe-wide legislation will ultimately help improve the control that individuals have over their personal data and help ensure they can use the internet with

confidence.

“But it will take time for workable technical solutions to be developed, evaluated and rolled out, so we have decided that a ‘phased in’ approach is right. 

“We have been working closely with the industry, the European Commission and the regulator, and consulted widely.  We are confident that we are taking an approach which is sensible,

pragmatic and light touch.” 

The Government believes that default browser settings do not meet the requirements of the Directive as they stand.  It has formed a working group with browser manufacturers to see if these

can be enhanced to meet the requirements of the revised Directive.  However, the Government will not be mandating any technical solutions as the industry is much better placed to develop

these.

While technical solutions are developed, the regulator - the Information Commissioner - has said that it will not to take enforcement action against businesses and organisations while they

are working actively to address their use of cookies or are engaged in development work on browsers and/or other solutions. In the meantime website owners are expected to abide by the spirit

of law and develop best practice ahead of full implementation.

The Government will continue to work closely with the internet industry on this issue.