Clear Cookie Banners
How to build a cookie banner that lets people stay in control of their data — and meets the rules set by the Dutch privacy authority.
Why it matters
Section titled “Why it matters”What people do online is very personal. Tracking cookies let companies follow what a visitor does. This is only allowed if the visitor clearly agrees — and they must be able to say no just as easily, with no penalty. Good, clear information lets them make a real choice. A clear banner also keeps you within the law. Misleading designs (often called dark patterns) break both.
Words used in this guide
Section titled “Words used in this guide”| Term | Plain meaning |
|---|---|
| Personal data | Any information about a person — a name, an IP address, what they click |
| Cookie | A small file a website saves on the visitor’s device |
| Tracking cookie | A cookie that follows what someone does across pages or sites, often for ads |
| GDPR | The EU privacy law (in Dutch: AVG) |
| Consent | The visitor’s clear, active “yes” |
| Legitimate interest | A legal reason to use low-impact data without asking first, when it’s fair |
| Third party | Another company you share data with |
| CMP | A ready-made cookie-banner tool |
| Dark pattern | A design that tricks people into agreeing |
| Dutch privacy authority | The Dutch regulator (Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens) that checks these rules |
Start here
Section titled “Start here”The nine rulesThe nine key rules — the quickest overview of what a good banner needs.
When it appliesWhich cookies mean the privacy rules apply, and the legal reason you need for each.
What to show firstWhat must be visible right away, before the visitor chooses.
Go-live checklistCheck every box before you go live.