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What is Consent Management?
Consent management is not a new concept. But it has seen an incredible rise in the past few years.
It began gaining popularity with the EU ePrivacy Directive and when the European Union passed the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in 2016. Soon after that, data privacy laws began to pass in countries all over the world from China (PIPL [Personal Information Protection Law]) to Brazil (LGPD [Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados Pessoais]).
New laws began coming into effect quickly came into effect to protect data subject rights.
In short, no matter which regulation you must comply with, you have to know which users consented to which type of data processing. And you need to have good evidence of it. You also need an easy way to process all this, not just for you but for your data subjects.
So what is a consent management platform? Why should you use one? This article will tell you all this and more.
What is a Consent Management Platform?
A consent management platform (CMP) is a tool that helps companies legally document and manage the user’s consent choices regarding personal data processing.
Have you ever entered a site and gotten a pop-up telling you it needs your permission to use cookies and maybe process some of your data? That pop-up is part of a consent management platform.
CMPs clearly explain how users' data will be used and why, and they give users the option to revoke consent when they want to, making consent collection much easier.
What is Cookie Consent? Download our FAQ guide to begin your road to compliance.
Why Do Businesses Need a CMP?
Avoiding Fines
ePrivacy and the GDPR were the first regulations to emphasize the importance of consent. Failure to comply can result in huge fines. That’s a situation no business wants to find itself in.
For instance, GPDR fines can go up to $20 million or 4% of the annual turnover, whichever one is higher. Similarly, violating the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) can result in a fine of up to $7,500 per breach.
A consent management platform won't make you compliant with all the provisions of data protection laws like the GDPR or CCPA. But it will bring you one step closer.
Ensuring Transparency
Avoiding fines isn’t the only reason a business needs consent management software. Nowadays, consumers want transparency.
Most people understand some of their personal data will be processed as they browse the internet. But they want to know which one and why. And the best way to offer them that information is through a CMP.
Plus, transparency is a requirement of some privacy laws, like the GDPR, so you’ll be one step closer to regulatory adherence.
Associating a User’s Identity With Their Consent
New privacy laws don’t just require asking for consent. You must also give them the option to withdraw their consent when they want. Certain exceptions exist, depending on the business, but we’ll look at a general case for now.
Unless you can associate the user’s identity with their options for consent, allowing them to change their decision becomes impossible. You’ll end up with consent from the same user scattered around different systems and silos.
A good CMP allows knowing exactly what each user chose. And it will allow them to change their choice.
What Makes Up a CMP?
Choosing a consent management platform may seem daunting. What should a business consider? There are a few key features to look for in any CMP.
1. Help With Law Interpretation
Laws can change very quickly. And they can be interpreted differently in different countries.
Let’s look at a simple example. The GDPR has a broad definition of personal data. So broad, in fact, that different countries have had different interpretations. Since the GDPR was enforced, there have also been different interpretations of opt-in consent. For example, in France, at first, scrolling through a page was interpreted as consent. But that has changed now.
Keeping up with all these changes is nearly impossible unless you have a large, global team of privacy professionals. Let’s face it, very few companies can afford that. But there’s an alternative: letting your CMP do all the work for you.
Not all consent management platforms can do this. A good CMP will be continually updated to match all the new provisions, laws, changes, and interpretations worldwide.
2. Capturing and Archiving Consent
Privacy regulations like the GDPR require companies to gather consent in an honest manner. This can be done through banners or pop-ups. The means aren’t as important as the result. Users need to give their specific and informed consent.
In many jurisdictions, you also need to have proof of consent.
That’s why you need a CMP that correctly archives consent. The possibility to connect a user to their option will also allow them to retract their consent, a requirement in several laws, including the GDPR.
3. Disabling Unauthorized Tags and Cookies
In some instances, tags and/or cookies are loaded regardless of whether a user has given their consent. This can be considered a violation of some privacy laws.
The correct way would be to disable tags and unnecessary cookies until a user gives their consent. No consent? No tags and no unnecessary cookies.
When choosing your consent management platform, look out for this aspect. Unfortunately, not all CMPs take this into consideration.
4. Inventory and Categorization of Web Tags
Speaking of web tags, many CMPs will require you to manually catalog them. You either add each new tag to your inventory immediately, or you conduct regular website audits.
But there are easier ways to do this and a good CMP can help by automatically scanning your website and telling you which tags you have on your site. It can also auto-categorize them based on the user’s input.
5. Covering More Than Just Websites
Because most consent management pop-ups you see are on websites and refer to cookies, you may be inclined to think that’s where it all stops. You’d be wrong. Consent management extends across different platforms, including mobile apps.
If you process data through various mediums, make sure your CMP works on all of them.
Consent management is crucial for regulatory conformance. You need to make it easy for your users to opt-in, opt-out, or retract consent. And you need to keep logs of their decisions. A consent management platform solves many of these problems.
It can offer a quick and customizable way of asking and archiving consent. It will help you avoid risks and fines. In short, a good consent management platform will give you and your customers peace of mind.
Osano’s CMP will do all that and more. Supported in 40+ languages, Osano’s CMP will help you get one step closer to following regulations, without wasting time and valuable resources.
How Osano Helps
How Does Osano Help You Comply with the EU's GDPR?
Osano’s consent management platform is designed to help you comply with data privacy legislation like the GDPR and CCPA by managing the processing of personal data efficiently.
Our platform ensures that you collect appropriate consent from website visitors, store consent records securely, and maintain compliance with the GDPR’s strict data subject rights requirements, all while simplifying the management of the personal data lifecycle.
How Does Osano Support CCPA Adherence?
Osano’s cookie consent management tool helps businesses comply with the CCPA by allowing users to opt in or opt out of data processing activities, such as the use of cookies and trackers. Our platform ensures that you provide consumers with the right to control their personal data and meet all CCPA requirements, including the management of opt-out preferences and tracking cookies.
Does Osano Cover Compliance with Other Global Data Protection Laws (e.g., LGPD, PIPEDA)?
Yes, Osano’s privacy management platform helps your business comply with data privacy regulations worldwide, including Brazil’s LGPD and Canada’s PIPEDA. With our comprehensive compliance solutions, Osano enables you to collect and process data on your website in adherence with applicable data privacy legislation. With Osano's CMP, you'll benefit from automatic website scans and GDPR-compliant consent mechanisms.
How Does Osano Integrate with My Existing Website or Content Management System (CMS)?
Osano seamlessly integrates with popular content management systems like WordPress and others. Our CMP allows for easy deployment of cookie consent banners, automatic blocking of unauthorized cookies, and frontend design customization. Whether you use WordPress, HubSpot, or other CMS platforms, Osano makes it simple to include consent mechanisms that comply with data privacy laws.
Can Osano Integrate with My Tag Management System (e.g., Google Tag Manager)?
Absolutely. Osano integrates with Google Tag Manager and other tag management systems to help manage your cookies and trackers effectively. Our platform ensures that no tracking cookies are deployed until explicit consent is obtained from users, helping you maintain compliance with data privacy regulations like the GDPR.
Does Osano Offer API Access for Custom Integrations?
Yes, Osano provides API access, allowing your business to integrate our consent management platform with your existing systems and workflows. This flexibility ensures that you can manage user consent and data privacy across various platforms, ensuring compliance with the processing of personal data throughout its lifecycle.
How Does Osano Handle Multi-Language Support for Global Websites?
Osano supports over 40 languages, allowing you to deploy GDPR-compliant consent banners that automatically adjust based on the visitor's language and location. This feature ensures that your website remains compliant with global data privacy regulations, providing explicit consent options and managing records of processing activities in a transparent and user-friendly way.
Can Osano Manage Consent for Both Websites and Mobile Apps?
Yes, Osano’s CMP extends beyond just websites. We offer solutions for managing consent across various platforms, including mobile apps. This ensures that the personal data lifecycle is managed consistently, whether users interact with your business via a website or a mobile application.
How Does Osano Manage Consent Withdrawal?
Osano makes it easy for users to withdraw their consent anytime. Our platform provides GDPR-compliant tools that allow users to manage their consent preferences. This feature is crucial for maintaining compliance with laws and regulations that require your business to respect the data subject’s right to withdraw consent.
How Does Osano Ensure the Security of My Users' Data?
Osano prioritizes data security by implementing industry-standard encryption and security protocols. Our privacy management platform ensures that all data collected and processed is stored securely, helping you comply with data privacy legislation and protect against unauthorized data transfer or access.
Where Is My Data Stored When Using Osano?
Osano stores data in secure, local, GDPR-compliant data centers to ensure the processing of personal data adheres to all relevant data privacy legislation. Whether your users are in the EU or other regions, our platform ensures that data is stored per the highest data protection standards.
How Does Osano Help with Audit Readiness?
Osano’s CMP provides detailed logs and records of processing activities, making it easy for you to demonstrate compliance during audits. By keeping clear records of all consent-related actions, including opt-ins, opt-outs, and explicit consent from website visitors, Osano helps you stay prepared for audits and maintain compliance with data privacy regulations.