MPs on Wednesday voted in favour of new legislation guaranteeing internet access for all and setting limits to the use of tracking text files known as cookies.

Cookies allow publishers to track the behaviour of internet users so they can monitor browsing behaviour and, for example, better target advertising.
Under the new legislation, cookies can only be placed if the user gives express permission to do so. In addition, whoever collects the information must be able to prove they have the user’s permission.

Publishers

According to the Financial Times, the new internet privacy law could lead some publishers to shift operations to other EU countries.
The amendment is ‘a very hard-to-explain deviation from the European directive, which doesn’t help anybody and makes it more complicated for both us and for the consumer,’ Michiel Buitelaar, head of development at Sanoma Netherlands, told the FT. ‘It’s really very disappointing.’
The paper says the measure is also opposed by EU digital agenda commissioner Neelie Kroes.
The legislation also bans telecom providers from charging extra fees for the use of internet applications such as Skype and Whatsapp, guaranteeing so-called net neutrality.