Cookie notifications?

[watercooled]

Not sure which section this would be best in, feel free to move it.

Has anyone else noticed loads of websites are suddenly displaying messages similar to the following one from the BBC

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the BBC website. However, if you would like to, you can change your cookie settings at any time

Has there been some law passed requiring everyone to do this or something? I've been mad busy the past week or so, so I've probably missed a fair bit of news...

[Phage]

Yep - New EU directive. Been on it's way for some months though.
http://www.cookielaw.org/
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/05...s_law_ignored/

[SteadfastJohn]

You now have to opt in rather than be unaware that cookies are in effect by default. Opting out can of course be a pain particularly if it's a site you use regularly but then you most likely have some trust in them and will opt in.

[jimbouk]

It's continue to use the website and automatically opt-in, or close your browser! I assume it would cost too much to redevelop their sites to work without cookies so they just pop you up a little box to ignore.

I get annoyed because they keep popping up the box, I don't allow cookies to persist from most sites so they forget I've 'opted-in'...