Stricter cookie requirements - is your website compliant?
A new Norwegian e-commerce law came into force on January 1, 2025. Now, even stricter requirements are imposed on how cookies are handled on your website.
Consent to cookies must be obtained in a cookie banner. Example from the website of our customer Linn Bad .
The Electronic Communications Act (Ekomloven) was introduced in 2003. This was before smartphones became common and at a time when only half the population had internet access at home. It goes without saying that it is high time to modernize the legislation.
With the new e-commerce law from January 1, 2025, there are clearer rules for how to request consent for cookies on a website. At the same time, the Norwegian law is now aligned with the EU's existing directive.
Are you wondering what a cookie is? The Norwegian Data Protection Authority writes : A cookie, often called a cookie, is a small text file that is downloaded and stored on a user's computer when the user opens a website.
Changes with the new Ekom Act:
The new law requires that all websites obtain consent to use cookies, and that the consent is explicit and active. The most important points are:
Active consent: The user must actively allow all cookies that are not strictly necessary for basic functionality of the website.
Separate consent for different cookies: The user should be able to give/reject consent to specific types of cookies. A general "accept all" is no longer sufficient.
User-friendly and open: Consent must be obtained through clear and simple mechanisms, without hidden choices or misleading designs.
Withdraw consent: The user must be able to withdraw consent through a clear function on the website.
In other words: You probably need to make changes to your cookie banner - or get one in place (if you don't already have one).
Let's get your website ready.
As the owner of the website, you are responsible for ensuring that it complies with the new rules. This is not automatic. But we at Gasta We are happy to help you check your website against the legislation and change the layout of your existing cookie banner - or set up a new one.
For most of our customers, Squarespace's new cookie banner is good enough. We just need to install it. All we need is an hour to fix the layout and wording in line with the new legislation.
Customers with more advanced use of cookies, such as Google Tag Manager, must use an external solution to meet the requirements. Cookiebot can be a good alternative here. Such a solution requires a monthly subscription. Here we need to know a little more before we can estimate the time spent and price.
