Have you checked if your cookie banner meets the latest UK rules? If not, your website may already be on the wrong side of the law. The UK has officially passed the Data Use and Access Bill, which officially became law in June 2025. This reform isn’t just about data use—it’s a total shift in how businesses handle cookie consent, user transparency, and personal data processing.
From stricter fines to clearer user controls, the bill brings a high-stakes update to the UK data privacy law landscape. This blog breaks down exactly what the law says, how it changes compliance for cookies, and what you need to do next.
Let’s explore the new rules, real consequences, and how your business can adapt fast and stay compliant.
The Data Use and Access Bill is part of the UK government’s ongoing data protection reform proposals to refine post-Brexit regulations. It officially became law on 19 June 2025, as the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025.
While it includes updates to many areas, like digital identities legislation and trust services for authentication, one of the most talked-about impacts is its stricter stance on cookie consent.
For businesses, this law tightens personal data regulation by aligning parts of PECR (Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations) with UK GDPR compliance requirements.
In simple terms, that means your cookie practices must now meet the same level of scrutiny as your GDPR data processing. It affects how you collect, store, and explain your use of cookies, particularly when it comes to transparency and consent.
One of the most significant changes is the alignment of PECR penalties with GDPR standards. Until now, breaches of cookie rules could lead to fines up to £500,000. Now, under the DUA Act, those penalties are upgraded to £17.5 million or 4% of global turnover, whichever is higher.
The law treats non-compliance with cookie rules as seriously as a major data protection breach. That means no more soft warnings. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) now has clear authority to issue major fines for cookie misuse. Websites using trackers without clear user consent or relying on deceptive cookie banners are at high risk.
Some cookies are exempt under the new law that came into force in June 2025, such as:
However, cookies used for analytics, ad targeting, or AI model training require clear and informed consent.
In early 2025, the ICO conducted an audit of 200 popular UK websites. Shocking results revealed 134 websites failed basic cookie compliance. This included missing opt-outs, default opt-in settings, and vague language on data collection. The ICO has since made it clear: enforcement will be immediate and unapologetic.
Most non-compliant sites displayed one or more critical issues in their cookie consent implementations:
These are direct violations of the new rules on cookie consent and violate data subject transparency rights.
Your cookie banner must provide equal weight to both “Accept” and “Reject” options. This ensures genuine, informed consent—a core requirement of UK GDPR compliance requirements.
Businesses should conduct a full cookie audit to identify all trackers, especially those linked to access to customer data or generative AI governance. Remove any cookies not essential or lack clear documentation.
Your cookie policy should be fully updated to reflect real-time use of all trackers, the purpose behind them, and any personal data transfers UK they may involve.
This is no longer theoretical. If your cookie setup violates the law, you risk massive financial penalties.
The ICO will assess a range of factors before issuing fines or enforcement notices for cookie violations:
Fines are just one part. Reputational damage, customer churn, and potential lawsuits could deeply harm your business. Regulators are particularly focused on legitimate interest processing claims that aren’t well-documented.
In response to the ICO’s post-audit warning, many UK companies are:
This growing pressure signals a move toward smarter, AI-powered solutions.
Seers AI, an AI-driven consent management platform (CMP), simplifies cookie compliance by automatically scanning your website to detect all cookies and deploying clear consent banners with genuine “Accept” and “Reject” options.
It securely records consent history to help you demonstrate compliance during audits, without any manual effort or coding required. Seers AI continuously updates its system to align with the latest e-privacy laws, so your business never falls behind.
Key benefits include:
With Seers AI, maintaining compliance with the UK’s Data Use and Access Bill and related data protection regimes becomes effortless and reliable.
As we wrap up, the Data Use and Access Bill marks a major shift in UK cookie consent rules. The ICO will next focus on removing deceptive consent practices, while browser-level controls may soon change compliance again. Staying proactive with updated tools and clear policies is key to avoiding fines and maintaining user trust in this evolving landscape.
Don’t let complex UK cookie laws put your business at risk. With Seers AI, automate cookie scanning, consent collection, and compliance updates—all without coding. Stay fully compliant, protect user trust, and avoid hefty fines. Experience peace of mind with Seers AI’s powerful, easy-to-use platform today!
Start Free NowThe Data (Use and Access) Bill, now the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, modernises UK data laws. It facilitates secure data sharing, introduces digital verification services, and updates the UK GDPR and PECR, aiming to enhance public service delivery and innovation.
Benefits include streamlined data sharing, improved public services, and support for AI innovation. Drawbacks involve concerns over reduced privacy protections and potential challenges to the EU’s data adequacy decision, which could affect international data flows.
While the Bill aims to modernise data laws, it has raised concerns in the EU regarding potential divergence from GDPR standards. The European Commission is reviewing the UK’s data adequacy status, with a decision expected by December 2025.
AI developers outside the UK may face challenges accessing UK creative content due to stricter data sharing regulations. The Bill’s provisions could limit the use of such content, impacting AI model training and development processes.
If shelved, the UK risks falling behind in data innovation and digital public services. However, the Bill has already received Royal Assent, becoming law on 19 June 2025, making shelving no longer an option.
The Bill has already been passed and received Royal Assent on 19 June 2025, becoming the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025. It is now law and will be implemented through secondary legislation in the coming months.
Rimsha ZafarRimsha is a Senior Content Writer at Seers AI with over 5 years of experience in advanced technologies and AI-driven tools. Her expertise as a research analyst shapes clear, thoughtful insights into responsible data use, trust, and future-facing technologies.
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