Web sites cannot comply with the new EU law governing Internet cookies by relying on users' browser settings, according to the Article 29 Working Party's interpretation of the revised Privacy and Electronic Communications Directive. OUT-LAW.COM reports that while online companies have claimed that advertising behavior will not need to change, experts believe Web sites will have to receive visitors' permission before using cookies. According to the Working Party's interpretation, "Informed consent can only be obtained if prior information about the sending and purposes of the cookie has been given to the user." Prior consent can, however, be given to advertising networks covering thousands of Web sites and need not be given to every individual site, the report states.
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