Cookie Banner
A user interface element displayed on websites to inform visitors about cookie usage and collect their consent preferences.
A cookie banner (or cookie consent banner) is a notification displayed to website visitors, typically as a bar, popup, or modal overlay, that informs them about the site’s use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Under laws like the GDPR and ePrivacy Directive, this banner must appear before any non-essential cookies are set, providing clear information and genuine options to accept, reject, or customize cookie preferences.
An effective cookie banner must meet several legal requirements: it must be displayed prominently before non-essential cookies fire, offer a genuine reject option that is as easy to use as the accept option, provide access to granular category-level preferences, use clear and plain language rather than legal jargon, and not use dark patterns like pre-checked boxes or hidden reject buttons. Many enforcement actions have targeted websites with misleading banners, making proper implementation a significant compliance priority.