The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has issued a formal warning to SkyBet over its handling of cookies, citing legal violations.
- SkyBet was found to be sharing personal data with advertising companies prior to obtaining user consent, contravening data protection laws.
- The ICO’s investigation led SkyBet to revise its cookie practices to align with legal requirements, ensuring users can reject advertising cookies.
- The ICO underscores the importance of consent for targeted advertising and plans to review the UK’s top 100 websites for compliance.
- This move by the ICO serves as a cautionary example for companies, highlighting the potential consequences of neglecting user consent requirements.
The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has officially admonished SkyBet for what it describes as ‘unlawful’ cookie practices. SkyBet, a gambling site, was found to be processing personal information and sharing it with advertising technology companies immediately upon users accessing the site. This was done without allowing users the opportunity to accept or reject advertising cookies, leading to personalised adverts targeting them without explicit consent.
The ICO’s investigation revealed that these practices were not in compliance with data protection laws, as they lacked transparency and fairness. Consequently, SkyBet has adjusted its cookie policy to permit users to reject advertising cookies, reflecting the ICO’s enforcement action and its broader initiative to ensure websites adhere to legal standards. This alteration forms part of a broader push by the ICO to crack down on non-compliant websites, safeguarding user data rights.
According to Stephen Bonner, Deputy Commissioner at the ICO, many users encounter targeted adverts, such as ones for trainers after joining a gym, without full comfort or awareness. He stated, ‘Our enforcement action against Sky Betting and Gaming is a warning that there will be consequences if organisations breach the law, and people are denied the choice over targeted advertising.’ His remarks underline the ICO’s commitment to scrutinising and enforcing data protection laws rigorously.
Following an earlier review of the UK’s top 100 websites, the ICO identified that over half of these did not comply with cookie regulations. Letters were dispatched to 53 organisations, warning of enforcement action if changes were not made. This proactive stance by the ICO reflects its determination to ensure that users have an informed choice regarding the use of their personal data for targeted advertising.
The ICO’s latest measures involve plans to examine the next 100 most visited websites for compliance, urging companies to reassess and modify their cookie consent strategies before the regulator’s intervention. This ongoing scrutiny aims to uphold data protection standards across the online landscape, ensuring that user consent is not merely a formality but a genuine choice.
The ICO’s action against SkyBet is a pivotal moment, demonstrating the serious implications of non-compliance with data protection laws.
