According to Google’s New Rules, Webgarden Users Need to Get Cookie Consent from Visitors
Google has announced that as of October 1, 2015 they will penalize all websites, including those outside the European Union, which do not obtain consent from end users in the European Union regarding the use of cookies on their sites. The requirement has been introduced to comply with the E-Privacy Directive (2002/58/EC) established by the European Parliament and Council. At this point many aspects of the situation are still unclear, but Webgarden has a simple solution for its users.
Why should Webgarden users have a consent to cookies?
The European Union and Google require that every webmaster who uses any Google or third party service has on his/her website a consent to the use of cookies opt-in notification. This means that whenever anyone visits a website they will first have to agree to the use of cookies.
Google’s services include tools such as Google Analytics, AdSense, DoubleClick for Publishers, YouTube, etc. Third party services include plugins from social networks, advertisers, online chat services, etc. which use cookies. If your website displays advertisements placed there by any third party, you should have a cookie consent.
How can I include a cookie consent notification on my website?
Add a cookie consent to your website by first going to the SETTINGS tab and scrolling down to the very bottom of the page to the part called CONSENT TO THE USE OF COOKIES.
Check the box to ACTIVATE THE COOKIE CONSENT NOTIFICATION ON MY WEBSITE. Then consider editing the prefilled TEXT FOR THE CONSENT NOTIFICATION and TEXT FOR THE BUTTON CONSENTING TO THE USE OF COOKIES. Finally, be sure to SAVE.
Your cookie notification will look like this.
Do I have to activate it?
The European directive and Google will directly enforce the consent to the use of cookies. Despite the fact that right now no one knows how Google will punish websites without the consent, the majority of experts and lawyers who specialize in IT recommend that you implement this consent. We will keep you informed as to how the requirements for cookie consents develop from here.
What are cookies?
Cookies are short text files which servers place in the user’s computer when they load a web page. From the technical perspective, it’s a series of codes by which the browser collects and then sends information about your behavior back to the server. Cookies contain information on how long the browser should keep them (from disposable to up to several years). You can read more about cookies on the website aboutcookies.org.
Where can I find more details?
On Google’s support website under Data Privacy & Security you can learn all about how personal details are shared and how data is processed and protected. To read more about the mandatory consent for users see Google’s EU User Consent Policy.
Even though the situation surrounding the introduction of the mandatory consent to the use of cookies is still unclear, Webgarden, like most other specialists, recommends that you add the consent to your website. The consent won’t burden your visitors and will allow you to avoid any hassles with Google.