Polityka Cookies

Warsaw, February 6, 2016 –

Polish authorities rolled out fresh rules this week on how websites must handle tracking cookies. The changes tighten the way sites notify users and gather consent, building on older EU directives that many local companies had treated as loose suggestions until now. Government notices went out to major portals and smaller online publishers alike, spelling out that vague banners would no longer cut it.

Sites that ignore the new standards face fines under existing consumer-protection statutes. Officials said they had reviewed hundreds of popular Polish domains last year and found most still relied on buried privacy pages or pre-checked boxes. The updated guidance demands clearer language and an actual opt-in step before any non-essential cookies load. Several large news outlets already adjusted their setups over the weekend.

The move comes as Polish internet users grow more aware of data tracking after a string of high-profile leaks. Privacy advocates welcomed the step but noted that enforcement will depend on how quickly regulators follow through with checks. Smaller web shops and regional blogs, many of which run on basic templates, now have until spring to update their code or risk warnings.

Critics of the rules argue the extra prompts will annoy readers and slow page loads, especially on mobile. Yet early tests on a handful of government portals showed that straightforward notices can actually improve user trust without killing traffic. Regulators promised to publish a list of compliant sites later this month so the public can see who is meeting the bar.