All public websites will now have to demonstrate that they are taking steps to comply with new EU laws on the storage of personal data using cookies.

Cookies are text files that sit on a user's device allowing a website to store information about the user or track their online behaviour. They are often used to remember a user's browsing session for example, or for advertising purposes.

The Ministry of Justice will use cookies to:

• measure traffic to its website
• allow users to share its content through social media sites.

The department will also be helping those associated bodies who have a website to reach compliance over the next few months.

The EU directive, which aims to protect users' personal data and privacy, will be enforced in the UK by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

More about the EU directive and the ICO guidance

How the justice website uses cookies and how to disable them