How to work with GDPR and privacy setting

Idea

GDPR is an EU data-protection law that gives users control over personal data and requires websites to have a lawful basis (usually explicit consent) before processing data used for tracking or targeted advertising.

Key things — how GDPR affects ads:

1. Personal identifiers (cookies, IPs, device IDs, behavior) are treated as personal data.
2. Consent must be informed, specific, freely given, and recorded before loading tracking/ad scripts.
3. If consent is denied, fall back to non-personalized or contextual ads and avoid setting tracking cookies.
4. Use a certified CMP and share a clear vendor/purpose list so ad networks can read the consent status (e.g., via TCF).

Step-by-step logic (how to implement, at high level):

1. Detect user location/scope — decide whether GDPR likely applies (EU users).
2. Show CMP banner — explain purposes, list vendors, provide granular toggles.
3. Block ad/tracking scripts by default — do not load them before consent.
4. Read consent string (e.g., via __tcfapi) when the user acts.
5. If consent granted → initialize ad services with personalized settings (update consent mode).
6. If consent denied or partial → load non-personalized/contextual ads and disable trackers.
7. Store & expose withdrawal — let users change settings easily and propagate updates to ad vendors.
8. Document & maintain — log consents, keep vendor lists up to date, and review periodically.

Short disclaimer: Not legal advice — verify your implementation for your site and jurisdictions.