Shopify Native Cookie Banner

[Feemish]

Is Cookie Banner Data Protection driving you nuts?
It is me.

Regarding the Shopify cookie banner which Shopify is encouraging me to implement.

If I do implement it... and a customer declines the marketing and analytics data collection... what actually happens?

Does the banner code somehow switch off data collection by the Facebook and Google Analytics and conversion tracking tags and pixels I have installed?

[Finer]

@Feemish the answer is yes and no. The Shopify Cookie Banner only controls first party cookies (Shopify cookies). Therefore, if you use google tag manager and meta pixel, the Shopify Cookie Banner will not block them. However, a cookie banner or “consent tool” should actually do so. If you use third party cookies and don’t let the customer decline it, then you are probably violating privacy laws (but it also depends in which country you are localed).

[Feemish]

Thanks. We are UK based. I've noticed that many of our competitors (here in the UK) still have no cookie banner or warning at all.

Those that do typically say;

"This site uses cookies. By using our site, you agree to our use of cookies"
with two options 
'Learn more' which links to the privacy policy.
and 
'Accept'

The customer is given notice that cookies are used and can choose not to use the site.
I don't know if that's legal or not.

[Feemish]

The Shopify 'virtual help centre assistant' just gave me this information which contradicts your advice. Who is correct?

When customers decline marketing and analytics cookies using the Shopify cookie banner, it will affect data collection for Google Analytics and the Facebook pixel. Specifically:

• In regions that require consent (like the UK), data will only be collected after obtaining consent. If customers opt out, non-essential data will not be collected, which may lead to reduced analytics data, including session counts and conversion rates.

• For Google Analytics, if consent is not granted, event data will not be used for personalized advertising unless Google Consent Mode v2 is activated and valid consent is obtained.

• Similarly, the Facebook pixel will also respect the consent settings, meaning it won't collect data from customers who have opted out of data sales or sharing.

In summary, if customers decline cookies, both Google Analytics and the Facebook pixel will be limited in their ability to collect data, which could impact your marketing insights and conversion tracking.

[Finer]

@Feemish forget the "assistant", I contacted Support because I would not get a clear answer.

Here is the Feedback I got from Support:

I wrote: Hi, Does the 1P Shopify Consent Tool manage only Shopify related cookies? How can we configure the settings of 3P cookies?

Answer from Shopify Support:  For third-party (3P) cookies, you would need to manage those separately, as they are set by external services or apps integrated into your store.

I wrote: So I'll have to use two separate Consent Tools?

Answer from Shopify Support: Yes, you're correct. To manage cookies effectively on your Shopify store, you'll need to use two separate tools

So for a better understanding:

The Shopify Cookie Banner does only control the 1P cookies set by Shopify. It does not manage or block 3rd Party Cookies (eg. Google & Meta). 

This is where we get to the part that it is not legal. When a visitor declines to use of cookies, this should apply to all cookies, not only to those from Shopify. Using two tools to get the consent, does not make sense. Therefore, you should use a consent tool that can block all non-relevant cookies.

[Feemish]

OK Finer. Thanks.
The AI assistant seems to be giving advice to people which could lead them to break the law.

[Feemish]

Shopify virtual assistant tells me that the shopify cookie banner WILL stop Google and Facebook tracking pixels from collecting data.
Is that right?

[Finer]

@Feemish you can test it if you are not sure. The fact that you cannot manage the cookie and declare it as "marketing", "analytics" or add an expiration date would suggest that Shopify does not know what it is. Therefore, nothing will happen. 

The virtual assistant also tells me that you can apply two different types of tax-rates to shipping taxes. But that is not true. 😅