EU to address cookie consent

You know the kind, the kind that has ruined your web browsing with an annoying pop-up you probably don't take any notice of now and click Agree just to get to where you need.

That's really the problem too, although I make a point of choosing Decline. If the pop-up gives a huge list of toggles, I'm more likely to close the tab and try elsewhere meaning the site has lost traffic. The somewhat amusing thing is that sites will claim to be protecting your privacy, but if was the case, then why is't Decline the default and you have to opt-in?

And that was originally the idea. The EU wanted users to have visibility and choice, but the implementation was left to site owners.

Some cookies are useful -they help the right language to be shown and login states that make life a bit easier on the web. Sadly, many are tied to personalisation with tracking and worse, cross-site tracking.

At last the EU is stepping in and proposing changes with an attempt to remove the barriers around consent. Firstly, they want to reduce the banner to Yes or No, which will reduce user's thinking and help them access the site quicker. Then secondly, they are suggesting the burden of cookie consent is moved to the browser rather than the site itself. This will unify banner appearance, again reducing cognitive load on the user and the browser can set a preference centrally.

These new proposals are working through the European Parliament, so it'll be some time, but something that could bring a cleaner, more seamless internet experience.