Withdraw cookie consent: stop tracking afterward

Cookie banners ask for your consent to tracking and advertising. This consent is voluntary and must be just as easy to withdraw as it was given. Manipulative banners in which rejecting is hidden are impermissible.

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Your chances of getting your money back

Consent once given (e.g. to tracking cookies) you can withdraw at any time with effect for the future, and the withdrawal must be as easy as the consent (Art. 7 DSGVO).

Non-necessary cookies may only be set with your consent. A banner that prominently shows only 'Accept all' and makes rejecting difficult is challengeable under data protection law.

What you should do now

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1. Withdraw consent
Use the site's privacy/cookie settings to withdraw your consent and reject non-necessary cookies.
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2. Delete cookies
Delete set cookies in the browser and configure tracking restrictively there.
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3. Call on the provider
If there is no way to withdraw or with a manipulative banner, you can call on the provider in writing to correct it.
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4. Consider a complaint
If that does not help, you can complain to the data protection supervisory authority.

How to spot the scam

The cookie banner has no equivalent 'Reject' button.
A withdrawal of consent is not provided for.
Tracking runs even though you only allowed necessary cookies.

Frequently asked questions

Can I withdraw my cookie consent?

Yes, at any time with effect for the future. The withdrawal must be as easy as the granting (Art. 7 DSGVO). Many sites offer a link to the cookie settings in the footer for this.

Are cookie banners without a 'Reject' button allowed?

Generally not. If non-necessary cookies require consent, rejecting must be as easy as agreeing. Banners that offer only 'Accept all' or hide rejecting are challengeable.

What can I do against intrusive tracking?

Withdraw the consent, delete cookies, and configure the browser restrictively. If the tracking remains active without consent, you can call on the provider and complain to the data protection authority.

Take action now

We put together the ready-made texts and the right places to contact for you.

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General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.