The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK’s privacy protection body, announced (November 12th, 2023) that it will begin to strictly enforce the rules governing the use of digital identifiers (Cookies) and clarified that websites must implement these rules within 30 days. Users must be allowed to choose not to allow the use of cookies, even if the use of cookies is necessary for the functioning of the website. The rules also stipulate that websites must make the option to choose not to allow the use of cookies easy and accessible. In addition, websites must refrain from serving targeted advertisements to users who have chosen not to allow the use of cookies. Seems like the ICO’s decision is an important step in protecting the privacy of UK users. It is expected to affect many websites in the country and may lead to the adoption of similar rules in other countries around the world.
