Coming into force in May 2018, the RGPD (General Data Protection Regulation) has revolutionized the French Internet. Designed to strengthen the rights of Internet users, the adoption of this text marked the beginning of a new phenomenon: pop-ups inviting us to accept cookies. Sometimes annoying, often unclear, these banners have profoundly changed the functioning of the websites consulted in the European Union.
Today, the CNIL (Commission Nationale de l’Informatique et des Libertés) is once again changing the rules, Futur Digital explains what it is all about.
First of all, what is a computer cookie?
A cookie is a text file generated by the server of a website you visit or by a third party application (such as an advertising agency operating on this site). Generally, a cookie makes it possible to recognize an Internet user who returns to a site already visited, and therefore to facilitate navigation by recognizing his preferences, keeping him logged in or even offering him personalized content. These are cookies containing personal informations.
These files are placed on your computer when you browse sites that use them.
What changes in March 2021?
The CNIL has established several principles concerning good practices for the use of cookies. The purpose of this change is to inform French Internet users about the cookies they are required to host.
In detail, here are the rules applicable from March 2021:
- The continued navigation on a site cannot be considered as an agreement of the Internet user (or soft opt-in). That is to say that the deposit of cookie must be conditioned by a clear acceptance of the user. By default, any action other than a positive act must be considered as a refusal to consent to the deposit of cookies and tracers;
- The action of refusing the deposit of cookies should be as simple as the action of accepting it;
- The purpose of cookies placed on the computer of the Internet user must be clearly explained before the user can make his choice. His consent must therefore be enlightened;
- Users must have access to an up-to-date list of the various players who use tracers;
- Organizations depositing cookies must be able to justify the validity of the consents collected;
- The refusal of Internet users must be kept so as not to have to be repeated on each visit.
Failure to comply with these new rules may result in economic and administrative sanctions. The CNIL reserves the right to prosecute offenders, in particular in the event of a serious breach of law and respect for private life.
How to update your Cookies policy
This paradigm shift implies, for Internet players, a profound change in the way they collect information as well as the consent of Internet users in terms of deposit of cookies and tracers on their machines.
Depending on the digital solution you have chosen, contact your Webmaster or your Web agency to proceed with the update.
If you manage your site yourself on a platform like WordPress, some extensions offer to manage RPGD and Cookies. So remember to make all recent updates, and check that compliance is well supported.
Futur Digital will, of course, offer its customers the opportunity to update their site.
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