Welcome to the State of Website Privacy Report 2024!
Hey there, curious minds! Privado has dug deep into the murky waters of website privacy, and the findings are eye-opening. Brace yourself for some shocking revelations about privacy compliance trends in the US and Europe.
So, here’s the scoop – after scrutinizing the top websites for CPRA and GDPR compliance, Privado unearthed a startling truth. A whopping 75% of websites in both the US and Europe are not playing by the rules when it comes to privacy regulations.
Surprisingly, even in Europe with its stricter privacy laws, a staggering 74% of top websites are failing to adhere to the opt-in consent requirements of GDPR. And in the US, despite similar non-compliance rates of 76% for not honoring opt-out consent under CPRA, the risk factor is three times higher.
This report is a result of Privado’s cutting-edge consent compliance monitoring solution, which was deployed in September 2024 in response to the escalating privacy fines on both sides of the pond.
Did you know that six out of the 20 largest GDPR fines were slapped on companies for consent compliance violations on websites? Amazon even bagged the second-largest GDPR fine ever – a jaw-dropping $888M – for sneaky ad targeting without user consent in 2021.
And the US isn’t far behind, with a slew of companies facing hefty fines for flouting consent compliance regulations. With fines piling up and consumers demanding better privacy protection, the sharing of personal data from websites has become a legal minefield for companies worldwide.
Key Findings from the State of Website Privacy Report:
- 76% of top US websites ignore CPRA opt-out signals
- 74% of leading European websites disregard GDPR opt-in consent
- On average, US websites share data with 17 advertising 3rd parties, while European websites share with 6
According to Privado CEO Vaibhav Antil, cookie banners plastered on websites are often a band-aid solution that falls short of true compliance. He emphasizes the need for continuous consent testing to stay on the right side of the law as website technologies evolve.
Most Websites are Missing the Mark on Consent Compliance
From the CPRA in the US to the GDPR in Europe, websites are failing to meet consent requirements, leaving user data vulnerable to exploitation. The need for robust consent monitoring tools has never been more pressing.
US Websites Have 3X More Compliance Risks Than European Counterparts
Privacy teams are struggling to keep tabs on the myriad third parties integrated into their websites and their compliance status. A comprehensive monitoring solution is crucial to ensure data flows are in line with privacy regulations.
Data Sharing with 3rd Parties is a Common Practice
It’s no secret that websites love to share data with third parties to optimize performance. But this practice comes with its own set of risks, especially when consent requirements are flouted.
Why Consent Management Platforms Alone Aren’t Enough
While Consent Management Platforms (CMPs) are handy for managing consent banners, they fall short in ensuring full compliance. A holistic approach that includes real-time monitoring is the need of the hour.
Ensuring Privacy Compliance with Code Scanning and Consent Management
For bulletproof privacy compliance, combining code scanning with consent management is the way to go. This dynamic duo provides the visibility and governance necessary to navigate the intricate web of privacy regulations.
Ready to dive deeper into the findings and recommendations? Download the full State of Website Privacy Report for all the juicy details!
