cookieconsent

CookieConsent refers to software components, libraries, or scripts that present visitors with information about cookies and manage their consent before non-essential cookies are stored on a user’s device. It is commonly implemented on websites as a banner, dialog, or modal that appears on first visit and may persist to reflect updated choices.

The concept arose to support privacy regulations such as the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the ePrivacy Directive, with similar requirements in other jurisdictions. CookieConsent solutions typically differentiate between strictly necessary cookies and non-essential cookies, and they may support opt-in (explicit consent) or opt-out models depending on local law.

Most implementations provide a user interface allowing users to accept, reject, or customize cookie categories, and they store the resulting preferences in cookies or local storage. They expose an API to check whether consent has been granted for a given category and to revoke or update consent. They can also block or defer loading of non-essential scripts until consent is granted, and commonly support multiple languages, theming, and integration with analytics and advertising tools.

When choosing or implementing a CookieConsent solution, developers should consider accessibility, performance, and privacy implications. It is prudent to provide a non-JS fallback where possible, offer granular controls and clear explanations of what each cookie does, and keep the interface up to date with regulatory changes. Some CookieConsent solutions are open-source, while others are commercial consent-management products offering features such as consent logging and audit trails within broader compliance platforms.