The power to fine firms that amount has been handed to the Information Commissioner's Office as part of the UK government complying with a European Directive, which seeks to protect citizens from certain marketing methods.

Last month, the ICO companies that they should be getting ready to comply with new regulations covering the use of cookies.

The ability to fine firms will come into force on 25 May as part of the UK's Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR).

As part of the new ICO policing regime, telecoms companies and ISPs will be required to notify the ICO and their customers in certain circumstances when a personal data breach occurs.

As for the use of cookies, the ICO will be responsible for regulating compliance and will soon be issuing advice.