If I were the monarch, I would insist that for every new law passed into statute by my Government it would have to repeal at least two.
By John Sollars, founder of StinkyInk.com
As it is we seem to be in a state of continual spiralling legislation, much of it directly affecting the financial welfare of the country and its businesses. When you then take into consideration additional European Union regulations we would appear to be living in a red tape factory on steroids.
Every government in the world seems to be intent simplifying regulations, so how is it that we in the business community seem to be drowning in it? A case in point is the recent introduction of the EU Cookie Law by this ‘business friendly’ Government.
I’ll nail my colours to the mast immediately: I am an online retailer and have been selling printer consumables online since 2002. Every commercial site uses cookies to manage shopping baskets.
All good webmasters use Google Analytics to track the anonymised data from their visitors, allowing them to improve their site and thus their customers’ shopping experience.
Moreover, when I’m shopping online I rely on various cookies to remember me and my passwords, and generally make my life easy. Here at Stinkyink.com we have updated our privacy policy and also expanded and written a full cookie policy – it remains to be seen what customers make of it.
My frustration and puzzlement stems from the fact that no one has explained the benefit of the new law. If you search Google for “EU Cookie Law”, there are stacks of articles explaining what websites need to do, lambasting the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) for backtracking the day before the law became effective, but nowhere is there any justification of this law.
ZDnet has reported that five member states are being prosecuted by the European Commision for failure to impose the new directive, also pointing out that the Commission has failed to implement it on its own online properties.
But are there e-petitions on the Downing Street website demanding action; did I miss thousands of people marching through the streets of London protesting about cookies invading their privacy?
Now I’m going to stick my head above the parapet and say: “This law is an ass!” How many websites are there in the UK – 10, 20, 30 million? (I can’t find out exactly, but it’s a lot) and how on earth is the hard-pressed ICO going to police the law? Let alone what it’s going to cost. We’re in a recession, with better things to do with taxpayers’ money.
I know that in a civilised society we need rules and taxes, but come on chaps, let’s spend our time and very hard earned cash on worthwhile projects.
Why waste both on blatantly stupid, unnecessary and unwanted regulations stemming from an undemocratic and unelected Commission in Brussels. Belgium being one of the nations not bothering to implement the new directive into law who is being prosecuted by that very Commission.
Thank you – I feel better for that rant!
