How to block cookies to comply with GDPR
Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2025 10:59 am
It's been more than two weeks since the GDPR became mandatory and there are still many questions about how to comply with the law. One of the most common is what to do with cookies, which according to European regulations must be blocked until the user gives their consent. That's why I'm going to explain how to block cookies on your website so that you don't have any problems.
What does GDPR mean for the use of cookies?
Until now, we saw that all websites had a banner warning about the use of cookies, with an accept button and a link to obtain more information. This solution is no longer valid. The new regulations establish the following requirements regarding the use of cookies.
The user must have the option to accept or reject the use of cookies by the website.
In order to use cookies, the user must explicitly accept them (by clicking the accept button)
Regardless of their choice, the user must be able to facebook database acceptance of cookies at any time and in a simple manner.
In addition, consents must be recorded somewhere so that they can be demonstrated in the event of an inspection.
How to block cookies on your website
If you have WordPress, blocking cookies can be as easy as installing a plugin. But be careful, because many cookie plugins don't really work (they only warn you) and others require some development work to work according to the law.
The plugin that seems to work best is Ginger – EU Cookie Law which allows you to block the use of first-party cookies without having to make any extra settings. Easy and simple.
Alternatives
You've probably thought that blocking cookies on your website is bad business. Goodbye to personalized Adsense advertising and Analytics statistics until the user accepts cookies. And how many are going to accept? In my experience, very few.
Other options you have are to opt out of personalized ads for European Internet users and allow them for the rest. Something you can already do from your Adsense account. You can also anonymize Analytics data so that these cookies become harmless because they do not collect any personal data. The negative counterpart is that by anonymizing the IPs of your visitors you would not be able to see where they visit you from.
If this post has been useful to you, you will surely find this other one useful as well, on how to adapt your forms to comply with GDPR , another of the key points of the standard
.
Of course, I am not a lawyer and the information I provide here is merely indicative. If you want to be sure that your website is GDPR compliant, I strongly recommend consulting with one.
What does GDPR mean for the use of cookies?
Until now, we saw that all websites had a banner warning about the use of cookies, with an accept button and a link to obtain more information. This solution is no longer valid. The new regulations establish the following requirements regarding the use of cookies.
The user must have the option to accept or reject the use of cookies by the website.
In order to use cookies, the user must explicitly accept them (by clicking the accept button)
Regardless of their choice, the user must be able to facebook database acceptance of cookies at any time and in a simple manner.
In addition, consents must be recorded somewhere so that they can be demonstrated in the event of an inspection.
How to block cookies on your website
If you have WordPress, blocking cookies can be as easy as installing a plugin. But be careful, because many cookie plugins don't really work (they only warn you) and others require some development work to work according to the law.
The plugin that seems to work best is Ginger – EU Cookie Law which allows you to block the use of first-party cookies without having to make any extra settings. Easy and simple.
Alternatives
You've probably thought that blocking cookies on your website is bad business. Goodbye to personalized Adsense advertising and Analytics statistics until the user accepts cookies. And how many are going to accept? In my experience, very few.
Other options you have are to opt out of personalized ads for European Internet users and allow them for the rest. Something you can already do from your Adsense account. You can also anonymize Analytics data so that these cookies become harmless because they do not collect any personal data. The negative counterpart is that by anonymizing the IPs of your visitors you would not be able to see where they visit you from.
If this post has been useful to you, you will surely find this other one useful as well, on how to adapt your forms to comply with GDPR , another of the key points of the standard
.Of course, I am not a lawyer and the information I provide here is merely indicative. If you want to be sure that your website is GDPR compliant, I strongly recommend consulting with one.