EU rule on web ‘cookies’ bears £500,000 fine

The Information Commissioner in the United Kingdom welcomed in April 2011 new powers to serve monetary penalties of up to £500,000 for the most serious incidents of businesses and other organisations making unwanted marketing phone calls or sending unwanted marketing emails to consumers. The change – along with other powers granted to the ICO - will come into force as part of an amendment to the UK’s Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) on 25 May 2011.

Website: United Kingdom: Information Commissioner’s Office http://www.ico.gov.uk/

ICO: Press Release, 20.4.11: ICO welcomes new powers to fine organisations for unwanted marketing calls and messages http://www.ico.gov.uk/~/media/documents/pressreleases/2011/ico_welcomes_new_powers_news_release_20110420.ashx

ICO: Tools and resources: Privacy and electronic communications http://www.ico.gov.uk/tools_and_resources/document_library/privacy_and_electronic_communications.aspx

ESO: Background information: UK questions EU online privacy plan http://www.europeansources.info/record/uk-questions-eu-online-privacy-plan/

ICO: News Release: 25.5.11: ICO gives website owners one year to comply with cookies law http://www.ico.gov.uk/~/media/documents/pressreleases/2011/enforcement_cookies_rules_news_release_20110525.pdf

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