Three-quarters of online users unaware of EU Cookie Law

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As the new EU cookie directive looms, a survey of 2,000 online users has found that consumer awareness and knowledge of cookies is sorely lacking.

– A third believe that cookies could be used for viruses and Trojans;
– 8% had never heard of cookies;
– 9% were unaware they could disable cookies.

However, 23% said they were happy for websites to use cookies if it improved their browsing experience.

Similarly, many (75%) of the online users, surveyed by eDigitalResearch and IMRG for the latest eCustomerServiceIndex (eCSI), had not heard of the new EU cookie directive.

However, once they had the new rules and regulations explained to them, nine of out ten felt it was a positive step for consumers and were in favor.

“It’s unsurprising that general consumer knowledge surrounding cookies and their uses is a bit confused,” said Derek Eccleston, Head of Research, at eDigitalResearch.

“However, once the new rules and regulations come into force, retailers and websites will need to be doing everything in their power to effectively and efficiently educate visitors on how cookies are used, especially those most essential to site performance.”

Last month, a survey of 55 major UK-based companies by KPMG revealed a whopping 95% were not compliant at the end of March.

After May 26, 2012, websites that fail to comply with the new EU Cookie Law face fines of up to half a million UK Pounds ($800,000).

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kristina Knight-1
Kristina Knight, Journalist , BA
Content Writer & Editor
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Kristina Knight is a freelance writer with more than 15 years of experience writing on varied topics. Kristina’s focus for the past 10 years has been the small business, online marketing, and banking sectors, however, she keeps things interesting by writing about her experiences as an adoptive mom, parenting, and education issues. Kristina’s work has appeared with BizReport.com, NBC News, Soaps.com, DisasterNewsNetwork, and many more publications.