CookieHinweis

CookieHinweis, or Cookie Hinweis, is a user interface element on websites that informs visitors about cookies and obtains consent. In the German-speaking and broader European context, it is a common mechanism to comply with data protection rules such as the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the ePrivacy Directive. It typically appears as a banner or modal on a user's first visit and may reappear when consent changes.

A CookieHinweis normally describes the cookies in use, their purposes, and the data that may be collected. It offers controls such as accepting all cookies, rejecting non-essential cookies, or choosing specific categories (e.g., strictly necessary, preferences, statistics, marketing). Essential cookies may be exempt from consent. The mechanism should allow users to withdraw consent at any time and to review or change their choices later.

Implementation can vary: websites may implement a custom banner or rely on a Consent Management Platform (CMP) that stores consent records and enforces category-based decisions. Third-party providers may require consent to set their cookies. Good practice includes avoiding pre-checked consent, providing clear language, and ensuring accessibility.

Legal requirements emphasize that consent must be informed, freely given, and revocable. Websites should provide a privacy policy describing cookies in detail, data sharing with third parties, and data retention. In practice, CookieHinweis serves as both a compliance measure and a user-friendly privacy notice.