You’ve seen them everywhere — a popup asking if you accept cookies, usually with “Accept” and “Decline” buttons. You might click “Accept” without thinking twice, but what does it actually mean? And more importantly, do you need one on your website? Let’s break it down.
What is GDPR?
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into effect on May 25, 2018, and applies to any business handling personal data of EU residents. It requires website owners to manage data securely and ensure users know exactly how their information is being collected and used.
What counts as personal data?
Personal data includes anything that can identify an individual, such as:
- Names and email addresses
- Location data
- Web cookies
- IP addresses
- Biometric data
- Political or religious beliefs
Even pseudonymous data — where direct identifiers are removed — can still be considered personal if someone could reasonably link it back to an individual.
Chances are, your website already collects personal data. If you use Google Analytics, have a chatbot, run Facebook ads, or embed YouTube videos, you’re likely storing cookies. That means you have a legal responsibility to manage that data properly.
When do you need a GDPR cookie banner?
If your website receives visitors from Europe, GDPR applies to you — even if your business is based elsewhere. Whether you’re in the U.S., India, or anywhere else, if someone from the EU lands on your site, you must:
- Inform them about cookie use
- Allow them to opt out before non-essential cookies are stored
Simply notifying users isn’t enough. They must actively consent before tracking cookies are placed on their device.
What happens if you ignore GDPR?
A common mistake is using a cookie banner that only informs users without giving them an actual choice. This isn’t compliant. Visitors must be able to reject non-essential cookies, and your website needs to block them unless consent is given.
Ignoring GDPR can lead to serious fines — up to €20 million or 4% of your global revenue, whichever is higher. Authorities actively enforce compliance, and users can even file complaints if they believe their data rights have been violated.
Which cookie consent tool should you use?
There are plenty of GDPR compliance tools available, but I recommend Cookie Information. It’s used by thousands of businesses, including government institutions, and supports 44 languages. Plus, it offers live chat and phone support, which is invaluable when navigating compliance. It’s easy to integrate, customisable, and ensures you meet GDPR requirements.
Final thoughts
Understanding data protection is crucial for running a legally compliant website. GDPR isn’t just about ticking a box — it’s about respecting user privacy and ensuring transparency. If you haven’t set up proper cookie consent yet, now is the time.
I’d love to hear your thoughts — have you set up a GDPR-compliant cookie banner on your site? Let’s discuss in the comments!
