GDPR/PECR, cookie consent, Shopify and Google Analytics - regulatory and important

Topic summary

Shopify stores face ongoing GDPR/PECR compliance issues regarding cookie consent, particularly for UK and EU merchants. The core problem: analytics cookies (Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel) are deployed through Shopify’s admin settings outside theme control, making proper opt-in consent impossible—especially at checkout, which remains inaccessible on non-Plus plans.

Key compliance gaps identified:

  • Shopify’s own analytics cookies (_shopify_y, _s, etc.) load before user consent, even with “Limit tracking to EU” enabled
  • The Facebook/Instagram app sets the _fbp marketing cookie regardless of consent status
  • Shopify’s Consent Tracking API and native consent banner don’t actually block these cookies on initial page load
  • Third-party GDPR apps claim compliance but often only delete cookies after they’ve already fired, not prevent them from loading

Regulatory context:

The UK ICO has flagged cookie compliance as an enforcement priority. EU regulations require explicit opt-in for non-essential cookies before they’re set. Fines are being issued to non-compliant sites.

Proposed solutions discussed:

  • Google Consent Mode integration (mandatory by March 2024 per Google)
  • Custom script blocking using Shopify’s Customer Privacy API
  • Third-party tools like OneTrust or specialized Shopify apps
  • Manual deletion of problematic cookies via JavaScript

Current status (as of August 2025):

No out-of-the-box solution exists. Merchants remain liable for fines despite platform limitations. The discussion reflects frustration that this critical issue, first raised in 2019-2020, remains unresolved by Shopify.

Summarized with AI on October 26. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.

Hello @Alexey1 the solution is only one way and is called Google Consent Mode. Google has already announced the deadline for that here. So before March 2024 all need to be integrated with GCM. This means that you need to load GA on your own either directly on your theme or through GTM or an app like Pandectes GDPR Compliance.