Data Privacy and the Cookie Banner Conundrum

Data privacy has been big news and a major focus over the last few years, especially in Europe with the passing of GDPR, the general data protection regulation law. The challenge privacy activists have yet to overcome is that day to day consumers will click consent in exchange for the convenience of accessing information on a website or in exchange for a discount or deals. While some consumers theoretically object to their personal data being collected and used in ways beyond they are comfortable with, many are resigned to the reality of our digital behavior. The latest trend in helping companies achieve their goals is no longer search engine optimization and is instead consent rate optimization, or creating banners to help increase the number of people that will click accept. Of course SEO is still important, but many companies are getting creative with how to cope with the increase in regulation around data privacy. Some of the forthcoming laws are designed to force technology companies to make it easier for consumers to make informed choices about their data privacy, though it remains unclear how far consumers will go to restrict access if it means more clicks away from their intended search. We’ve become spoiled with the speed and convenience of information. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/29/business/dealbook/how-cookie-banners-backfired.html?searchResultPosition=2