Google announced the implementation of a new user consent policy for AdSense as the result of demands from the European Union. The policy makes publishers who have site visitors from the EU ask permission for using their data.

Here’s the actual full text of the policy:

When using Google products that incorporate this policy, certain disclosures must be given to and consents obtained from end users in the European Union.

You must use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that an end user is provided with clear and comprehensive information about, and consents to, the storing and accessing of cookies or other information on the end user’s device where such activity occurs in connection with a product to which this policy applies.

“European Union data protection authorities requested some changes to current practices for obtaining end user consents,” explains Jason Woloz, Security & Privacy Program Manager for Display and Video Ads at Google. “It has always been Google’s policy to comply with privacy laws, so we’ve agreed to make certain changes affecting our own products and partners using Google products.”

“If your websites are getting visitors from any of the countries in the European Union, you must comply with the EU user consent policy,” Woloz adds. “We recommend you start working on a policy-compliant user consent mechanism today.”

If you’re at a loss about how to do this, Google has a site called CookieChoices.org, which features examples and tools to help. There’s also a FAQ page available here.

Image via Google