Cookies and similar technologies (Guide to PECR)

What we recorded

Read 2026-11-11 through a fetch tool that can summarise. Undated; based on the previous detailed guidance, revised guidance under consultation. Non-essential cookies need consent that is actively and clearly given, by an unambiguous positive action that is more than continuing to use the site, and cannot be set on the homepage before consent. Cookies that are helpful but not essential, or essential only for your own purposes, still need consent. Exempt examples: basket, security, load balancing. Does not name analytics cookies or the Data (Use and Access) Act changes. UK law.

Claims that cite it

• The EU Court of Justice held in Planet49 (2019) that a pre-ticked checkbox is not valid consent to cookies, whether or not the data is personal, and the UK ICO says non-essential cookies need an active, clear opt-in before they are set. (strong)