Observed Signal · Aug 10, 2021 · Regulation · Source: OnlineMarketing.de · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Negative
Privacy activist files complaints over cookie banners
European privacy group noyb, led by activist Max Schrems, filed 422 formal GDPR complaints with multiple data protection authorities concerning problematic cookie banners. Since a May warning, 42% of affected websites have corrected at least some violations, but 82% remain non-compliant. Banner improvements include 42% adding a clearly visible 'Decline' option, 68% removing pre-checked consent boxes, and 46% adjusting the colors of consent and decline buttons. Across examined sites, the number of fixed violations is reported to total 1,028, and several firms ended using dark patterns to push consent. However, withdrawal of consent remains poorly visible on many sites; only 18% of investigated operators display withdrawal as prominently as consent. Schrems noted early changes by Seat, Mastercard, and REWE, but major platforms like Google, Amazon, Twitter, and Facebook did not show meaningful banner improvements, prompting further complaints. The organization plans to scan up to 10,000 websites later this year to prewarn operators and enforce the GDPR if refusals persist.
Regulatory/privacy enforcement and widespread cookie-banner concerns; notable actions by privacy groups and non-improvement by major platforms.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- noyb filed 422 formal GDPR complaints about cookie banners.
- Since May, 42% of investigated sites fixed violations.
- 82% of companies remain non-compliant with GDPR.
- Withdrawal option visibility is low at 18%; banner changes included a Decline option (42%), removal of pre-checked boxes (68%), and color changes (46%).
- noyb plans to scan up to 10,000 websites later this year to prewarn operators and enforce the GDPR if refusals persist.
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