How do you know if a cookie policy plugin does anything?

[UKSBD]

I have a *Free cookie policy plugin on a site

It's easy to set up, looks OK and as far as visitors are concerned does the job.

The thing is though, although the plugin is free, for enhanced features (scanning your site for cookies) you have to create an account that isn't free.

The wording on the plugin is

"You can continue using the plugin without connecting to the web app if you wish so. Please note that the standalone version of the plugin doesn't provide some advanced features. However, it offers unlimited pageviews in contrast to that of the web app-connected version."

Which is basically how I set it up at the moment on this test site https://www.dynamictinting.co.uk/ using just an accept or reject option.

This got me thinking though.

Is this actually doing anything if not connected with an account?

If not, how many websites have a cookie policy plugin on them which people think is doing something but in effect does nothing?

How do we know that when we click a button to reject cookies that it actually does something?

 

[ctrlbrk]

Are you asking whether these plugins actually write cookies or not depending on what the user selects as privacy options?

 

[zigojacko]

If not, how many websites have a cookie policy plugin on them which people think is doing something but in effect does nothing?

Hundreds of millions. There are literally plugins that have millions of users and the plugin does not even do anything other than show a notice to visitors - and that is literally it.

I spent quite a lot of time previously checking loads of completely random URLs and found less than 1% of websites to actually be compliant.

 

[estwig]

I went on your test site, clicked the button to reject all cookies, clicked around a bit on the site, then I went and looked to see if any cookies had been added to my browser.................

Drum roll please................Can you handle the suspense.....................

The site had installed cookies....Thats naughty!!!

 

[UKSBD]

Hundreds of millions. There are literally plugins that have millions of users and the plugin does not even do anything other than show a notice to visitors - and that is literally it.

I spent quite a lot of time previously checking loads of completely random URLs and found less than 1% of websites to actually be compliant.

I wonder how much of it is due to the fact someone adds a cookie plugin, sets it up so it looks OK and then just assumes that is it and they are compliant?

 

[UKSBD]

I went on your test site, clicked the button to reject all cookies, clicked around a bit on the site, then I went and looked to see if any cookies had been added to my browser.................

Drum roll please................Can you handle the suspense.....................

The site had installed cookies....Thats naughty!!!

I've set it now so there is only the option to accept.

It now looks nice, makes it looks like I care, but doesn't actually misslead

Absolutely crazy, these free plugins shouldn't be allowed when they are not actually doing anything

 

[zigojacko]

I wonder how much of it is due to the fact someone adds a cookie plugin, sets it up so it looks OK and then just assumes that is it and they are compliant?

Yes, this is exactly the case. The average business owner hasn't got a clue about any of the legal requirements so just assumes that a plugin ticks all the boxes.

 

[UKSBD]

Yes, this is exactly the case. The average business owner hasn't got a clue about any of the legal requirements so just assumes that a plugin ticks all the boxes.

I've changed mine now so it is accept only

At least that makes it look like you have done something about cookies, but without actually missleading anyone.

 

[UKSBD]

Yes, this is exactly the case. The average business owner hasn't got a clue about any of the legal requirements so just assumes that a plugin ticks all the boxes.

That cookieYes plugin has over million installations

It costs £8 a month to cionnect with an account to make it work properly

I wonder how many of that 1 million plus are paying anything?

 

[estwig]

Yes, this is exactly the case. The average business owner hasn't got a clue about any of the legal requirements so just assumes that a plugin ticks all the boxes.

It's not because I don't have a clue, I don't, it's because I couldn't care less, this cookie stuff is just nonsense.

 

[fisicx]

Install ghostery and see how many trackers there are. You might not be worried but there are some nasties out there you don’t really want following you around.

@UKSBD - the problem with an accept only policy is you are more likely to get complaints than not even telling people you have cookies. The law says you must have an option to reject.