The Ultimate Cookie Compliance Checklist (2025 Edition)

Cookie laws are getting stricter, enforcement is picking up, and customer trust is more fragile than ever. So how do you make sure your site doesn’t just look compliant — but actually is?

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We’ve got you covered.

This cookie compliance checklist is the ultimate guide for 2025. Whether you’re an eCommerce store, a SaaS platform, or a content site, this step-by-step list will help you stay GDPR, CCPA, and Google-compliant without pulling your hair out.

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Cookie Compliance Checklist for 2025

This reflects the latest trends and regulations around cookie usage and privacy. In 2025, with evolving global data protection laws and user expectations, it's more important than ever to stay compliant with regulations like the GDPR, CCPA, ePrivacy Regulation, and new laws in emerging markets.

1. Understand Global Privacy Laws

• Stay updated on GDPR, CCPA, ePrivacy Regulation, and other regional privacy laws affecting cookie usage.

2. Transparent Cookie Consent

• Display a clear and simple cookie banner with options to accept, reject, or customize cookie preferences.
• Use active consent, not pre-ticked boxes.

3. Cookie Policy Transparency

• Provide a detailed cookie policy, listing cookies used, their purposes, and third-party cookies.
• Include instructions on managing or deleting cookies.

4. Record and Manage User Consent

• Keep logs of user consent, including time, date, and choices made.
• Allow users to change preferences anytime.

5. Cookie Expiry and Retention

• Specify cookie expiration times and ensure cookies are deleted after a set period.

6. Third-Party Cookies

• Inform users if third parties track their behavior and link to their privacy policies.
• Use a Consent Management Platform (CMP) for third-party cookie compliance.

7. Respect User Preferences

• Ensure users’ cookie preferences persist across sessions and devices.
• Implement Do Not Track (DNT) support for privacy-conscious users.

8. Accessibility and Mobile Compliance

• Ensure the cookie consent mechanism is accessible and mobile-friendly.

9. Regular Cookie Audits

• Perform periodic audits to check for new or changed cookies and update your consent mechanism accordingly.

10. Educate Users

• Educate users about the cookies you use and how they benefit from personalized experiences.

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By adhering to this Cookie Compliance Checklist, you’ll ensure that your website is both legally compliant and user-friendly, providing transparency and control over personal data while respecting privacy rights.

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Sources:

• Google EU User Consent Policy
• IAB TCF v2.2
• GDPR Article 7
• EDPB Guidelines