GDPR

Top 11 JavaScript Libraries for Seamless GDPR Cookie Consent Integration

Hazem Abbas

Oct 10, 2024 — 5 min read

Photo by Dayne Topkin / Unsplash

Ensuring user privacy and data protection is more important than ever, especially for websites operating within the European Union (EU). The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which came into effect in May 2018, is designed to protect the personal data and privacy of EU citizens.

One of its key components is obtaining user consent before processing their personal information, particularly through cookies that track online behavior. This regulation applies not just to EU-based websites, but to any site that serves EU users, making GDPR compliance a global concern.

Failure to comply with GDPR can result in substantial fines. Depending on the severity of the violation, penalties can range up to 4% of a company’s annual global turnover or €20 million—whichever is higher. Several high-profile cases have resulted in major fines for companies like Google, H&M, and British Airways, underscoring the seriousness of GDPR enforcement.

For websites, this means implementing a clear and accessible cookie consent mechanism is essential. Users should be informed about the types of cookies being used and must be given the option to opt-in or opt-out of non-essential cookies.

In this post, we explore 11 JavaScript libraries that can help you seamlessly integrate GDPR-compliant cookie consent mechanisms, ensuring your website meets regulatory standards while maintaining a smooth user experience.

1- GlowCookies

This library enables you to add a Simple and full automated cookies banner for any website. It supports Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, and it is easy to install and configure in any website.

It supports 20+ languages that include English, Arabic, French, Bulgarian, Danish, German, and many more.

You can add the banner simply by:

<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/manucaralmo/GlowCookies@3.1.8/src/glowCookies.min.js"></script>
<script>
    glowCookies.start('en', {
        style: 1,
        analytics: 'G-FH87DE17XF',
        facebookPixel: '990955817632355',
        policyLink: 'https://link-to-your-policy.com'
    });
</script>

2- Cookie Though

This library is an 🍪 Easy to use JS library with a minimal footprint that manages cookie preferences for end-users.

Features:

simplicity: easily usable from a developer perspective
accessibility: needs to be accessible
adaptability: can be easily tweaked or adjusted to the needs of a project
standards compliance: GDPR compliant, fine grained cookie control
low footprint: size of the widget should be minimal

This library allows developers to add a cookie consent with accessible dialog, agnostic tag triggers and conditional content, script and embed hooks.

It works with React, Angular, Vue and Svelte apps.

Its features include:

No dependencies
Customizable cookie types (identifiers, optional/required, pre-checked)
Conditional script tags, iframes and elements based on cookie consent and type

4- Discreto

This is a JavaScript library that enables website admins add GDPR compliance to their sites.

This library includes a cookie bar and a settings modal, allowing users to manage their preferences for different categories of cookies.

Features

Dynamically generated cookie settings modal with multi-language support.
Support for multiple cookie categories (e.g., Necessary, Analytics, Marketing).
Accept/Reject options for individual cookie categories with detailed audit logging.
Easy customization and integration with tag management systems.

6- Cookie-Glasses

This browser extension shows you whether consent registered by cookie banners of IAB Europe's Transparency & Consent Framework corresponds to your choice.