this post was submitted on 13 Jul 2026
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Also wtf is with that website? "Data Tracking Consent required for free use"? I'm like 99% sure that's a wilful and deliberate GDPR violation.
Unfortunately it seems to be legal currently, despite being completely against the spirit of the GDPR.
https://cy.ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/online-tracking/consent-or-pay/
https://noyb.eu/en/court-decides-pay-or-okay-derstandardat-illegal
Nice forum sliding
No they let you opt out of sharing data with the hundreds 3rd parties they share your data with......by clicking reject next to each of their names on another page...
It probably is legal and if you follow the money I'm willing to be there is some lobbying form who argued to get a provision like this snuck into GDPR during some backroom deal.
Took me longer to do that than to read the article.
Never has it been so clear to me that I was the product.
Edit: IANAL, it seems to be legal under the GDPR because they offer an option to pay for the content. Idk about the preselected form to turn off individual advertising cookies, that still seems like it would still be an illegal dark pattern under the GDPR.
No, it's not legal.
Seems like you're making stuff up to match your broad views instead of checking or reading wherever. Which would be one thing if it's just for your own views, but you're unjustly propagating misinformation and system distrust.
https://gdpr-info.eu/art-21-gdpr/
https://gdpr-info.eu/art-25-gdpr/
More explanation what that means specifically on https://gdpr-info.eu/issues/consent/
Sorry if my response sounds harsh or unjustified. We're on a public platform after all where people share their views and understanding. It just pains me to read misinformation on such a good thing amongst less good things.
Regarding the subscription or consent choice I've read multiple times that it was ruled illegal. I'm confused why is still practiced.
You do realize that your quotes prove the disclaimer is legal, right?
They're stopping you before collecting data and making you choose.
Are you okay? I edited my comment to correct myself well before you got yourself worked up writing that.
You need some serious help because it "Seems like you're making stuff up to match your broad views instead of checking or reading wherever", reading whatever being reading my actual comment lol
EDIT: HEY ITS IN ALL CAPS CAN YOU SEE THIS EDIT?
IT'S CALLED THE PAY-OR-CONSENT MODEL. Now that I'm sure it's impossible for you to have missed this I'll go back to normal text:
Hmm seem's like a quick 5 second Google search is all it took instead of making stuff up to match my broad views instead of checking or reading whatever 🙄
The Pay-or-Consent Model: Is it Legal in 2026?
Sorry if my response sounds harsh or unjustified. We're on a public platform after all where people share their views and understanding. It just pains me to read misinformation on such a good thing I wrote amongst less good things written by people who didn't read all of what I wrote.
EDIT 2: don't be a dick to people online, there's a difference between civil discourse and being a dick and you took the former and made it into the latter. Have a nice day Richard
EDIT3: ohh I get it now:
Cough
No, it's not illegal.
Cough
I'm sorry you think this should be illegal, but enforcement actions have shown that it's a legal gray area 🤷♂️
Edit4: last one I promise and I'm gonna quote myself this time:
It's not the same as a legislative backroom deal but I'm willing to bet backroom deals in the courts are why the GDPR provisions around a "Consent-Or-Pay" model are weaker now than what you would think would be legal under the GDPR.
Look if I'm wrong can you at least not flame me again in your response? I'm actually on your side in this fight against advertisers/tech and would very much appreciate a civil discourse with you on this. We aren't gonna beat them if we are too busy beating each other up.
Edit5: I lied, but this edit is to start civil discourse. I personally don't think the GDPR doesn't do enough case in point being this Consent-Or-Pay model. Regardless of how you personally feel about the GDPR there are provisions big tech lobbied to get in the GDPR, quiet erosion through enforcement actions, and now rollbacks while they are currently trying to gut it. The GDPR didn't do enough, we need something better, and it's Europe isn't enough we need more countries passing similar legislation with real teeth to it.
The GDPR is flagrantly disregarded constantly. It really needs more enforcement.
Just convince Ireland to enforce it... and thereby piss off the tech companies that are the basis for their economy because they pretend to be Irish. Or, convince the tech companies to move from their safe haven of Ireland to somewhere else in the EU where the GDPR is actually enforced.. something they'd gain nothing from doing.