websites

A wooden gavel rests on a closed book, overlaid with the European Union flag featuring yellow stars on a blue background. The composition suggests themes of law and governance within the EU.

December 12, 2025

EU Court Holds Websites Responsible for GDPR Compliance with User Content

The EU court ruled that websites hosting user content must actively protect user privacy and comply with GDPR, including for anonymous users, or face heavy fines.

A child with short brown hair is sitting at a wooden table, facing a laptop screen. The screen displays a virtual classroom or online learning platform. The child rests their chin on their hands. A potted plant is in the background on the table.

November 4, 2025

International privacy regulators target children’s apps and websites in 2025 sweep

Over 30 privacy authorities will review child-focused websites and apps Nov 3–7, 2025, checking data collection, transparency, age assurance, and privacy safeguards under data protection rules.

A close-up of a laptop on a desk, showing a partially visible screen displaying a grid of photos. The keyboard is prominent in the foreground, with a reflective touchpad. The background is slightly blurred, featuring another device or monitor.

July 11, 2024

GPEN Sweep 2024 Report on Deceptive Design Patterns Published

The GPEN Sweep 2024 report highlights the prevalence of deceptive design patterns in websites and apps, urging stricter enforcement of data protection laws and more transparent design practices.

A laptop on a wooden table shows a large checkmark inside a black square on the screen, with a large pixelated cursor arrow pointing at it. A pen and notebook are on the left side of the table. The blurred background suggests an indoor setting.

February 6, 2024

EU pushes for less intrusive cookie consent

The European Commission is actively working to reform the digital advertising industry’s reliance on cookies, with a focus on enhancing user privacy in line with GDPR standards.

Two panels comparing cookie consent styles. Left shows "Accept" in green and "Cookie Policies" with a thumbs down icon. Right shows "Accept," "Reject all" in black, and "Cookie Policies" with a thumbs up icon, suggesting preference for including a reject option.

November 23, 2023

UK watchdog threatens enforcement action over ad cookies

ICO enforces fair cookie consent practices in the UK.

Illustration of a large transparent lock overlaying a digital globe with binary code (ones and zeros) on it. Two computer monitors are on either side of the globe against a gradient blue background, symbolizing cybersecurity and data protection.

November 8, 2023

Google To Combat Device Fingerprinting By Hiding IP Addresses

Google is developing a new feature, IP Protection, to obstruct device fingerprinting by masking users’ IP addresses from third-party domains.

Large outdoor sign with a colorful geometric pattern featuring a prominent "thumbs up" icon. Below, text reads "facebook" on the left and "1 Hacker Way" on the right. Surrounded by trees under a clear blue sky.

July 21, 2023

Suicide Hotlines Promise Anonymity. Dozens of Their Websites Send Sensitive Data to Facebook

Websites for mental health crisis resources across the country—which promise anonymity for visitors, many of whom are at a desperate moment in their lives—have been quietly sending sensitive visitor data to Facebook

A person in a white lab coat with a blue stethoscope around their neck is holding and using a smartphone. The person's face is not visible, and they are wearing a checkered shirt underneath the coat. The focus is on the hands and phone, suggesting engagement in a task.

May 18, 2023

CNIL fines health website €380,000 for non-compliance with GDPR and cookie requirements

French data protection authority fined health website doctiddimo.fr for failures in processing of health data and non-compliance with cookie requirements.

May 17, 2023

Italian DPA Fines Digital Marketing Company Over Use of Dark Patterns

Italian DPA fined a marketing agency for use of ‘dark patterns’ on their website.

April 25, 2023

German Supervisory Authorities Publish Opinion on Subscription Websites

German DPAs issued an opinion concerning websites that offer visitors options to access a free version which tracks user behavior or a paid version without monitoring.