Most Dutch call cookie law useless

Half of Dutch consumers think that the cookie law has barely improved the privacy of internet users. A survey from the Consumers Bond for the Digital Guide of May reveals that 29 percent of those questioned think that their online privacy has improved, and 21 percent don't know. The survey shows that 70 percent of people are concerned and take care in which sites the allow or block cookies from, whereas 50 percent of consumers click on the OK button without thinking about it. Of these people, 32 percent said they do not allow cookies from any site. The Consumer Bond has been advocating for years that a solution must be found in which consumers can block tracking cookies for all sites in one go, for example with the do-not-track button that most browsers are fitted with these days. The cookie law was introduced in 2012. The consumers Bond has received many complaints since then, especially about the lack of a one-time block of cookies. Consumers also complain about websites that block users from entering the website if they do not allow cookies. Director of the Consumer Bond, Bart Combée says "websites sadly ignore consumers' requests not to be followed if they adjust this via their browsers. Companies themselves are apparently unwilling to make any changes to this, this might have to be lawfully enforced." The obligation to provide information does mean that consumers are more aware of cookies, and 73 percent of consumers reads this information sometimes or ever time. 50 percent remove cookies every now and then, 11 percent have blocked cookies in their browser and 5 percent use a browser plug-in.