Automated Cookie Law Checks Confirmed in France

Back in March we learnt that the French Data Protection regulator, the CNIL, had been given new powers to  carry out online data protection compliance inspections, and we speculated that this might extend to checking for cookie consent.

It has now emerged that this is exactly what they plan to do.  According to a post on their site (French), starting in October, the CNIL will be proactively scanning websites and analysing compliance with the cookie laws.

According to the article they will be looking at the full range of tracking technologies websites use, whether they are first or third party, and whether the website owners have identified their purpose.

The analysis will then look at what procedures are in place for obtaining consent from visitors – and to make sure this fits with their guidance.

This action is a major step forward in enforcing the cookie laws, and owners of French targeted websites should take action now to ensure they are compliant.

Also according to this article there are plans for other EU DPAs to run a co-ordinated sweep for cookie compliance during the week of 15^th September – though this does not appear to be an enforcement exercise, more of a ‘state of play’ piece of research.

However, it may be a good time for companies to make sure their cookie disclosures are up to date.  Our Optanon Auditor and Cookie Policy Generator is a low cost service enabling websites to quickly scan their domains and produce a dynamically updated Cooie Policy to add to their website. You can also trial it completely free of charge.