New net rules set to make cookies crumble

The way websites track visitors and tailor ads to their behavior is about to undergo a big shake-up. From 25 May, European laws dictate that "explicit consent" must be gathered from web users who are being tracked via text files called "cookies". These files are widely used to help users navigate faster around sites they visit regularly. Businesses are being urged to sort out how they get consent so they can keep on using cookies. The changes are demanded by the European e-Privacy directive which comes into force in the UK in late May.