---
title: "What does the ePrivacy Directive (EU Cookie Law) say about cookie consent?"  
description: "What does the ePrivacy Directive (EU Cookie Law) say about cookie consent?"  
author: "ICSM Computer"  
published: 2025-03-10  
updated: 2025-03-10  
canonical: https://www.mindstick.com/interview/34008/what-does-the-eprivacy-directive-eu-cookie-law-say-about-cookie-consent  
category: "web development"  
tags: ["web development", "cookies"]  
reading_time: 3 minutes  

---

# What does the ePrivacy Directive (EU Cookie Law) say about cookie consent?

The **ePrivacy Directive (EU Cookie Law)** (Directive 2002/58/EC, amended by Directive 2009/136/EC) requires websites to obtain **informed consent** from users before storing or accessing cookies on their devices, except for cookies that are strictly necessary for providing a service explicitly requested by the user.

![What does the ePrivacy Directive (EU Cookie Law) say about cookie consent?](https://www.mindstick.com/interviewquestion/a9c61b50-c030-403d-8287-21682b2c4a54/images/dedef42b-f112-4da6-a1e8-5e8d4353e1f3.jpeg)

### Key Points About Cookie Consent:

1. **Prior Consent Required** – Users must give **explicit and informed consent** before non-essential cookies (e.g., tracking, analytics, and advertising cookies) are placed on their device.
2. **Clear and Comprehensive Information** – Websites must clearly inform users about what cookies are used, their purpose, and how data is processed.
3. **Granular Consent** – Users should have the ability to accept or reject different categories of cookies rather than a blanket "accept all" option.
4. **Easy Withdrawal of Consent** – Users must be able to withdraw or modify their consent as easily as they gave it.
5. **Necessary Cookies Exemption** – Cookies that are **strictly necessary** for a website’s functionality (e.g., authentication, shopping cart cookies) do not require consent.
6. **No Pre-Ticked Boxes** – Consent must be given through an **affirmative action** (e.g., clicking "Accept" rather than through pre-ticked checkboxes).
7. **GDPR Alignment** – Since the **General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)** came into effect in 2018, cookie consent must also meet GDPR standards of being **freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous**.

## Answers

### Answer by ICSM Computer

The **ePrivacy Directive (EU Cookie Law)** (Directive 2002/58/EC, amended by Directive 2009/136/EC) requires websites to obtain **informed consent** from users before storing or accessing cookies on their devices, except for cookies that are strictly necessary for providing a service explicitly requested by the user.

![What does the ePrivacy Directive (EU Cookie Law) say about cookie consent?](https://www.mindstick.com/interviewquestion/a9c61b50-c030-403d-8287-21682b2c4a54/images/dedef42b-f112-4da6-a1e8-5e8d4353e1f3.jpeg)

### Key Points About Cookie Consent:

1. **Prior Consent Required** – Users must give **explicit and informed consent** before non-essential cookies (e.g., tracking, analytics, and advertising cookies) are placed on their device.
2. **Clear and Comprehensive Information** – Websites must clearly inform users about what cookies are used, their purpose, and how data is processed.
3. **Granular Consent** – Users should have the ability to accept or reject different categories of cookies rather than a blanket "accept all" option.
4. **Easy Withdrawal of Consent** – Users must be able to withdraw or modify their consent as easily as they gave it.
5. **Necessary Cookies Exemption** – Cookies that are **strictly necessary** for a website’s functionality (e.g., authentication, shopping cart cookies) do not require consent.
6. **No Pre-Ticked Boxes** – Consent must be given through an **affirmative action** (e.g., clicking "Accept" rather than through pre-ticked checkboxes).
7. **GDPR Alignment** – Since the **General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)** came into effect in 2018, cookie consent must also meet GDPR standards of being **freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous**.


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Original Source: https://www.mindstick.com/interview/34008/what-does-the-eprivacy-directive-eu-cookie-law-say-about-cookie-consent

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