The UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has issued a warning to SkyBet regarding its cookie practices.
- SkyBet was accused of unlawfully processing personal data through cookies without user consent.
- The breach involved sharing data with adtech companies right upon website entry.
- Post-investigation, SkyBet amended its cookie practices to comply with regulations.
- The ICO is intensively reviewing other top websites for similar violations.
The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has admonished SkyBet over its cookie policy, labelling it ‘unlawful.’ The ICO accused SkyBet of processing users’ personal information and sharing it with adtech companies as soon as they accessed the website. This sharing occurred before users had the chance to accept or reject the cookies used for personalised advertising.
As a result of this practice, users’ personal data was utilised to tailor advertisements to them without obtaining their explicit consent, thus violating principles of lawful, transparent, and fair use of personal information. This breach surfaced in early 2023, prompting SkyBet to revise its cookie policy following an ICO investigation. These revisions ensure that users have the ability to reject advertising cookies if they so choose.
Stephen Bonner, Deputy Commissioner at the ICO, highlighted the issue with targeted advertising, using the common scenario of seeing an advert for trainers after signing up for a gym, as an example. He stressed that while some individuals may agree to such personalised advertising, others might find it intrusive, especially concerning sensitive personal data. Bonner’s remarks underscore the necessity of giving individuals a choice in being targeted by adverts.
The ICO’s action against SkyBet serves as a broader warning to organisations regarding adherence to data protection laws. The regulatory body is actively scrutinising top websites to ensure compliance with cookie consent protocols. Last year, a review of the UK’s leading 100 websites found that over half exhibited issues with cookie usage, prompting advisory letters from the ICO concerning potential enforcement action unless compliance improvements were made.
The ICO’s actions highlight the critical importance of lawful cookie usage, serving as a caution to all online platforms.
