What Global Privacy Control means
California and Colorado require covered businesses to honor it, and regulators have enforced this. Consent tools can detect the signal and apply the opt-out automatically.
Why it matters for your website
In states that require it, ignoring this signal can break privacy law, and regulators have already enforced it. Honoring it also shows visitors you respect their choices. Many consent tools can detect the signal automatically, which makes compliance easier.
Example
A visitor using a privacy-focused browser lands on an online furniture store. The store's consent tool sees the signal and turns off ad tracking pixels for that visit.
Tips
- Check whether your consent tool detects the signal and applies the opt-out.
- Test with a browser or extension that sends the signal.
- Mention how you handle it in your privacy policy.
Common mistakes
- Assuming a cookie banner alone covers opt-out rules in every state.
- Letting tag managers fire ad pixels before checking for the signal.
Questions about Global Privacy Control
What is Global Privacy Control?
A browser signal that tells websites a visitor wants to opt out of the sale or sharing of their data.
Is Global Privacy Control legally required?
In some states, including California and Colorado, covered businesses must honor it. Whether you are covered depends on the state law and your business, so check with a lawyer.
How do visitors turn on Global Privacy Control?
Some browsers offer it as a setting, and others support it through privacy extensions. Once on, it is sent to every site automatically.
