ICO cookies and similar technologies guidance
Explains cookie and similar-technology rules, clear information requirements, active and informed consent, no non-essential cookies before consent, strictly necessary exemptions, easy enable or disable controls, records of consent, and review of cookie use.
What this source can teach
Use this source to understand a platform convention and the setting it was designed for.
- Start with the original. Open the source and find the guidance or example relevant to your task.
- Trace the connection. Use the claim notes below to see how this site applies the source to specific patterns.
- Check the setting. Compare the source's platform, people, and constraints with your own decision.
Pattern Decisions This Source Supports
| Pattern | Supported decision | Required contract | Claim note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cookie banner | Choose cookie banner when a user must be told about cookies or similar technologies and must be able to accept or reject non-essential storage before it is set. | The banner appears before non-essential storage is set and remains until the user accepts, rejects, or saves preferences. | ICO guidance covers clear information, active consent, no non-essential cookies before consent, strictly necessary exemptions, enable or disable controls, consent records, and review of cookie use. |
| Cookie consent | Choose cookie consent when the decision controls cookies, pixels, local storage, tags, SDKs, or similar storage and access on the user's device. | Optional cookies, pixels, local storage, analytics tags, advertising tags, and similar technologies remain blocked until the matching purpose is accepted. | Supports clear information, active consent, no optional cookies before consent, strictly necessary exemptions, user controls, and consent records. |
Comparisons supported by this source
- Cookie banner vs banner vs notification banner vs site alert
ICO guidance covers clear information, active consent, no non-essential cookies before consent, strictly necessary exemptions, user controls, and consent records.
- Cookie consent vs cookie banner vs consent prompt vs preference center vs privacy settings vs legal acceptance
Supports clear information, active consent, no optional cookies before consent, strictly necessary exemptions, user controls, and consent records.
Evidence Role
This source is treated as platform-guideline evidence. Its value comes from the specific claims and setting described above.
Publisher: Information Commissioner's Office. Last checked: .