This is an update to the news item from 11th May 2011, in which businesses and organisations were told that they must comply with new regulations on the use of cookies, and similar technologies, for storing website visitor’s data on equipment such as computers and mobile devices.  The Regulations, which came into force on 26 May 2011, derived from an amendment to the EU's Privacy and Electronic Communications Directive.  These Regulations mean that organisations running websites in the UK have to get informed consent from website visitors to store and retrieve their data.

The Information Commissioner allowed a lead in period of 12 months, to allow organisations to put compliance measures in place.  This comes to an end in May 2012. 

For further guidance see www.ico.gov.uk/for_organisations/privacy_and_electronic_communications/the_guide/cookies.aspx