WIREDGOV

Socitm has launched an updated version of its Cookie Management Service for local authorities and other public service website owners.

The Cookie Management Service, developed in partnership with Cookie Reports Ltd, delivers a managed online service that enables public service website owners to meet the requirements of so called 'cookie law' that was introduced in 2011 and which is now being enforced by the Information Commissioner's Officer (ICO).

The service has been updated to take account of May's revised guidance from the ICO that removed the need for the heavy-handed cookie consent arrangements which had started to appear on websites in the run up to the enforcement deadline, including pop-up screens and other measures to get explicit consent from users before they enter a website.

Such implementations have had a marked effect on visitor numbers and, crucially for public services seeking to monitor channel shift, the ability to capture good web statistics using tools for which 'cookie consent' was deemed to be required.

The new version of Socitm's Cookie Management Service meets key criteria defined by the ICO. It's an online, managed service that is easy for site users to see - a coloured triangle is permanently displayed in the corner of every page of the website - but is not intrusive (or non-compliant) in the way that pop-ups are.

Implementation is simple and fast, and the information displayed is updated automatically with new information about cookies on the website based on a quarterly audit.

Socitm has implemented the Cookie Reports solution on this website.

For further information on the service see the Cookie Management Service page.