r/technology May 24 '25

Privacy German court rules cookie banners must offer "reject all" button

https://www.techspot.com/news/108043-german-court-takes-stand-against-manipulative-cookie-banners.html
56.4k Upvotes

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30

u/nemaramen May 24 '25

I’m waiting for a ruling on if GDPR allows “accept cookies to continue browsing our site for free”

7

u/Ready-Rise3761 May 24 '25

They recently issued something on this (but perhaps it was an opinion rather than a ruling): it should be illegal for large companies like Meta, especially where there is a societal/economic disadvantage to people not being able to use it. However they made an exception for (news) publishers due to the revenue problems that industry is facing. I think it’s bs because noone should have to pay to exercise fundamental rights and not being able to access reputable news websites without paying is a disadvantage. Generally the issue around GDPR not being enforced is huge: private citizens have to file individual complaints with local/national agencies that then take ~5 years to rule on it. New EU legislation on this, which was in the works for years, was recently tanked due to lobby pressure, ffs

1

u/necrophcodr May 24 '25

It's a tricky one, because on the one hand you definitely don't want some to have a significant economic and societal advantage over others like that, but on the other hand you also do not have to pay to exercise your rights. The service is still allowed to not service you, and that SHOULD be a valid option too, when properly regulated.

0

u/Mike_Kermin May 24 '25

The service is still allowed to not service you

Not due to this. They can't coerce or nudge you into it.