The UK has officially adopted the European Union’s updated rules on electronic communications, meaning that organisations must now seek permission before tracking user behaviour on their websites.

The new rules require website operators to get permission before they collect cookies, short text files describing a user’s activity and preferences. Cookies are used by website operators and advertisers to ‘remember’ users who have visited their sites before.

In a statement issued today, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said it is working with browser makers to see if a system of requiring permission can built in to their software.  

"The government recognises the Internet would be severely restricted without cookies and concerns were raised during the consultation that changes to the use of cookies could have serious impacts on the web," it said.