The European Commission aims to reform the EU’s cookie consent rules that have cluttered websites with intrusive banners asking for permission to track user data[1]. The initiative seeks to streamline data protection while maintaining privacy safeguards through centralized consent mechanisms[1:1].
Cookie consent banners emerged from the ePrivacy Directive (Cookie Law) and GDPR requirements, which mandate websites obtain explicit user permission before collecting non-essential data through cookies[2]. Current rules have led to widespread implementation of pop-up notices that interrupt user experience and often employ confusing interfaces.
The proposed changes reflect growing recognition that the existing approach has “messed up the internet” while failing to provide meaningful privacy protection[1:2]. Rather than requiring individual consent on every website, the Commission is exploring solutions like centralized consent management to reduce banner fatigue while preserving user privacy rights.
The fuck? The flagrant stealing and selling of user data is what messed up the internet.
Europe at least is trying to fix it.
Why are people so stupid? Is it something in the water?
It’s mainly the US companies, there don’t exist something like GDPR or right of privacy with free hand for big corporations and surveillance advertising. The People ther are too stupid to see it as a risk (don’t forget they voted Trump for the second time, showing that they are stupid as bricks). The problem is that the EU still depends to much on the US hegemony in the Internet. This is the first thing to change, using EU alternatives which exist and often are even superior, to gain sovereighnity.
The US dollar and economy are about to crash. This power can only go so far. I just hope the EU has enough oligarchy independence to sieze some of the marketshare when it happens so maybe there will be some place left with decent Internet regulations.
fluoride. /s
Fluoride? You mean TDazzle?