Science & Tech · Big Tech & Internet · 3 hrs ago
EU states reject browser-based fix for cookie banners
The EU’s member states rejected a plan to save cookie choices in browsers, aiming to reduce repeated consent pop-ups.
Cookies are small files that can help websites remember logins and shopping baskets, and can also support personalised advertising.
EU rules generally require websites to get permission before using cookies to process personal data, which is why consent banners appear.
The European Commission proposed letting people set their preferences once on their device and have browsers pass them on to websites.
Instead, member states want more exceptions for service delivery, audience measurement and IT security, which would allow some cookies without prior consent.
Consumer groups warned that dropping the browser-based plan could give advertising interests too much influence.
The European Parliament has not yet set its position, and its representatives must negotiate with EU governments before any changes can take effect; talks could take weeks or months.
EU member states have rejected a European Commission proposal to let people store cookie preferences in their browsers and send them automatically to websites.
The states instead support expanding exceptions that allow some cookies without prior user consent.
Those exceptions would cover cookies used to provide services, measure audience reach or ensure IT security.
EU governments and the European Parliament must agree on changes before they can take effect.
Consumer advocates have urged policymakers to keep the browser-based proposal.
- Who
- EU member states rejected the proposal. Consumer advocates have called for it to be retained.
- What
- EU states rejected a browser-based way to store and automatically share cookie preferences, backing wider exceptions instead.
- When
- The EU states agreed on their position on 21 October 2026.
- Where
- The decision concerns EU rules on cookie banners and internet use.
- Why
- The states want to reduce repeated cookie prompts through broader exceptions for certain uses, rather than a browser-based technical solution.
EU member states
Consumer advocates
Approach to cookie prompts
EU member states
They reject the proposed browser-based storage and automatic sharing of cookie preferences, and support more exceptions for website operators.
Consumer advocates
They have urged policymakers to retain the browser-based proposal.
Expected effect
EU member states
They seek to spare users more cookie prompts by allowing certain cookies without prior consent.
Consumer advocates
They say automated signals would make users’ lives easier and warn of excessive influence by the advertising industry.
The European Commission proposed allowing users to store cookie preferences on their devices and have them sent automatically to websites.
Consumer advocates called in an open letter for the Commission’s browser-based proposal to be retained.
EU member states agreed on a position rejecting the browser-based proposal and supporting wider exceptions.
EU representatives and European Parliament members must reach an agreement before changes can take effect.
- Proposal
- Store cookie preferences on users’ devices and send them automatically to websites
- EU states’ alternative
- Wider exceptions for cookies used to provide services, measure audience reach or ensure IT security
- Consent
- The proposed exceptions would allow those cookies without prior user consent
- Next step
- EU states and the European Parliament must reach an agreement
- Parliament position
- No position had been announced at the time of the articles
2 sources
What people are saying
The automated signals would make users' lives easier.
It is therefore extremely worrying that policymakers are considering dropping this proposal.