GDPR enforcer rules that IAB Europe’s consent popups are unlawful (iccl.ie)

Article summary

The EU's data protection authorities have ruled that the consent popups used by IAB Europe, which are used by Google, Amazon, and other companies, are unlawful and must be deleted. The ruling found that the popups failed to ensure personal data was kept secure and confidential, and did not properly request consent. This decision impacts the online advertising businesses of major companies and requires the deletion of all data collected through the popups. The ruling is a result of complaints coordinated by the Irish Council for Civil Liberties.

Main themes

• EU data protection laws
• consent popups
• online advertising
• corporate power
• EU governance
• democracy and effectiveness
• federalism and national sovereignty

What commenters say

• National governments are not interested in fixing issues like data protection, leaving it to the EU to take action.
• The EU's ability to pass and enforce laws like the GDPR is due to its relative detachment from direct democratic pressures.
• Making the EU more democratic could make it less effective in passing beneficial laws.
• The GDPR and similar laws are seen as beneficial for people, but may not be prioritized by national politicians due to lack of public interest.
• The EU is moving towards federalism, but this is not universally supported by its member states.
• The EU's power to pass laws like the GDPR is seen as a necessary check on corporate power and a benefit to citizens.
• The effectiveness of the EU in passing laws like the GDPR is due to its ability to work outside of national political pressures and interests.