Optical data carrier comprising a preferably transparent substrate which may, if desired, have previously been coated with one or more reflection layers and to whose surface a light-writeable information layer, if desired one or more reflection layers and if desired a protective layer or a further substrate or a covering layer have been applied, which can be written on and read by means of infrared light, preferably laser light, particularly preferably light having a wavelength in the range 750-800 nm, in particular 770-790 nm, where the information layer comprises a light-absorbent compound and, if desired, a binder, characterized in that at least one cobalt(III) phthalocyanine in which the Co metal centre bears two axial substituents R1 and R2 which represent, independently of one another, CN, SCN, alkoxy or alkylthio is used as light-absorbent compound.