Someone asked me a great question last week, about a new page I added to the blog. She wanted to know why I bothered to publish a new page all about cookies, (that’s browser cookies, not the delicious ones!)
The new EU cookie regulations!
I explained that there was a new ruling here in Europe. It means that every Europe based site that uses cookies, has to make its European based readers aware that the site uses cookies and what they use them for. In case you don’t know, cookies are stored on our Internet browsers and are used for things like the Twitter and Facebook buttons we see on blogs and also for the software that people use, to measure their site traffic. Cookies are also used on sites that carry advertising, sites that have a commenting section and sites that allow you to personalise your visit, etc. As a result, pretty much every blog uses cookies and the massive majority of websites do too.
I wanted to be among the first to comply with the cookie regulations, so the page went up along with a new banner in my sidebar, so people could see it on every page they visit here.
Blogger concerns about cookie disclosure
Over the past few weeks, many bloggers have told me that they are in no hurry to disclose their use of cookies. It isn’t that their blogs do anything weird with them. Their concern was that by being among the first to offer cookie disclosure, they may lose traffic.
Their logic looks like this: Most people (and many bloggers) have no idea that almost every blog uses cookies, so if they make a point of highlighting THEIR policy, before the other bloggers, some readers will wrongly assume the other blogs don’t use cookies. They think this, even though cookies usually make the reader experience better and allow the blogger to improve the quality of their blog.
I see transparency as an opportunity
One of the best kept secrets in business, is the amazing power of transparency. People like the idea that the people around them are being open and honest with them. Conversely, they lose trust in people, who they discover have been hiding something relevant from them.
In my experience, whenever you are gifted with an opportunity to display your eagerness to be transparent, you should grasp it with both hands. This is even more important online, where people often connect with your work, before they have the chance to meet you or check you out in person. Transparency helps us earn trust and build credibility. Those are 2 extremely valuable assets, which every business needs.
What are your thoughts on transparency in business?
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Great point.
This was the first blog I saw thats compliant. Others have just updated their privacy or about page without realizing they need to promote the cookie disclosure so people can give consent.
Nice work Mr.C.
Hi Holly. I’m currently looking for a better way to make the disclosure more prominent, without it being too ‘in your face.’
I have seen sites using pop-ups, but with so many people using pop-up blockers, that’s not the ideal solution for me.
Thanks for the feedback.
Hi Jim. Nice points about cookies. I’m not in Europe, but try to stay on top of such things, just the same. I’ve seen some sites with popups (they showed them to me, even though they should have been able to detect my location), and I agree with you – it isn’t the best approach.
I think the bloggers who feel that being the first to comply will cost them readers are too short-sighted (and underestimates their readers). A significant portion of the web populace does know that many (perhaps most) sites use cookies, and simply ignores the fact. The won’t let the disclosure stop them. But delaying compliance simply postpones the inevitable.
Transparency, as you say, goes a long way to build credibility, while avoiding it is rarely profitable in the long run.
Thanks for the feedback, Scott.
I activated my popup and declaration of cookie use last week, because I believe in setting an example. But so many other blogs and websites have not, thus making a mockery of this law. Surely it is not all due to misunderstandings or lack of knowledge? If you don’t have access to creating popups and the like, a simple declaration on the website apparently will do, taking advantage of the ‘implied consent’ from visitors who continue browsing there. Transparency is vital in honest business, and should be shown ultimately within your web-presence.
Hi Alice. Thanks for the feedback. As I’m sure you know, here in the UK a lack of knowledge of a law is not a defence. Whilst this is not related to criminal law, there has been so much coverage that it’s hard to understand anyone who needs to know about it, who hasn’t yet.
A positive side that someone mentioned on Twitter, is that it’s a useful way to check out the EU based blogs, who take what they do seriously / professionally.
Hi Jim,
I think that in this day and age transparency is a must. Saying that I remember deliberating whether or shall I should even put my real picture online. It’s like a statement …. Here to stay
I will be adding a page to my site as soon as!
Hi Tony. I think that’s a wise move.
Hey Jim, I’ve specifically avoided adding a notification telling users about cookies. And I think a lot of other sites have also. Even parts of the government websites don’t adhere to the guidelines yet.
I have not seen any notification on amazon either. But what I have seen is mailers from companies like “click consult” that offer to install a popup on your site for you, at a price obviously.
I’ll be holding off until I see sites like amazon and ebay publishing notifications. I don’t want to scare people off.
I pasted this excerpt from a post on linkedin the other day as I was discussing it in an industry group I’m in…
Nightmare #2: Everyone Is Scared Of Cookies
Take the EU cookie law. 89% of the public think it’s a good idea. If ever you needed a clearer indicator that we are seen as bogeymen up to no good, then that’s it.
* of people think that we want to take people’s data and do bad things with it.
That’s clearly not the case, and it’s been very well argued on many other places that having cookies makes the web better. In some cases without them the web will cease to function. So why do people feel that way?
It’s because the cookie law is fundamentally negative in its stance. It paints the very clear picture that cookies are bad and something to be afraid of. The simple truth is the public want as easy an online browsing experience as possible.
If a pop-up asks them if they want to be tracked they are likely to either turn it off or move on to another site in fear.
What do people expect? “Yes, I love to be stalked” – because that’s the view people are given of cookies right now.
That’s taken from a blog post here: http://www.koozai.com/blog/news/when-did-we-become-the-bad-guys/
I’ve removed the http bit so it does not appear as a link. I’m not sure what the rules are here about posting links, feel free to link it up. (it’s not my site btw)
Hi David. The media seem to suggest that sites like your own, who are still not complying, will be helped comply, rather than fined by the ICO. You may be interested to know that since publishing my policy very visibly, visitor numbers have not been negatively impacted at all.
Good luck and thanks for the info.
sorry as another little resource: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/may/26/cookies-law-changed-implied-consent
Read this after I posted my last comment^
This has me interested. I’m curious to see how things play out in the coming months given this change to the blogger world. It’s too early for me to have an opinion either way on this.
As a result of installing a cookie plugin on my website, I was asked to talk about this at the Huntingdonshire Business Network: mainly to explain the significance of the new law and its implications for small businesses.
I too, believe in transparency, but several people raised the issue of not wanting to do anything that might deter people from proceeding further on their site. My response was that if the level of engagement was so poor that a visitor was put off by being asked for their consent, then it is questionable whether they are of any real value at all.
I realise this is a bit hard-core, but I have to say that, so far, I have not seen a major change in the analytics.
Mind you, I am looking for a better way to meet the legislation.
it is noticeable that some very prominent sites have chosen to assume acceptance rather than require it. This would seem to be in line with the new guidance from the ICO as linked to by David.
Gareth