Maximizing Compliance and Insights with AesirX - The Integrated Consent and Analytics Solution

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Learn how AesirX integrates consent and analytics for accurate data collection and user trust. Achieve compliance and gain insights with AesirX.

AesirX: Integrated Consent and Analytics for Compliance

November 14th 2023, the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) adopted <a href="https://www.edpb.europa.eu/system/files/2023-11/edpb_guidelines_202302_technical_scope_art_53_eprivacydirective_en.pdf" target="_self" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #1ab391;">Guidelines 2/2023</a>, providing essential clarity on the technical scope of Article 5(3) of the ePrivacy Directive. These new guidelines emphasize the importance of obtaining informed consent before storing or accessing any information on a user's device. For businesses operating in the European Union, adapting to these changes is crucial for maintaining compliance and ensuring the trust of their customers. This article offers a comprehensive guide on how businesses can navigate these new ePrivacy guidelines while maintaining operational efficiency.
<h2 id="ember61" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__heading-2">Overview of the New Guidelines</h2>
<h3 id="ember62" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__heading-3">The updated ePrivacy Directive guidelines underscore several critical points:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Informed Consent: Businesses must obtain explicit and informed consent from users before storing or accessing any information on their devices, including cookies, pixel trackers, and other digital tracking technologies.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Transparency: Companies must provide clear and comprehensive information about data collection practices, the purposes of data processing, and how the data will be used. Consent forms and banners must be easily accessible and understandable.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>User Control: Users should have the ability to manage their consent preferences easily, including the option to withdraw consent at any time without detriment.</li>
</ul>
<div class="readmore ps-4 mb-2rem py-2 ms-4 border-start border-2 border-success">
Read more:
<a href="https://gothard.dk/blog/gdpr-and-eprivacy-directive-compliance-a-guide-for-website-owners" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="color: #1ab394;">GDPR and ePrivacy Directive Compliance: A Guide for Website Owners</a>
</div>
<h3 id="ember67" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__heading-3">Implications for Data Collection and User Consent</h3>
The new guidelines have significant implications for how businesses collect and process data:
<ul>
<li>Prior Consent Requirement: Before loading any cookies or tracking technologies, businesses must obtain explicit consent from users. This means that any third-party analytics or marketing solutions cannot be activated until consent is granted.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Cookie &amp; Tracking Management: Companies must reassess their use of cookies and other tracking technologies to ensure compliance. This involves deploying consent management platforms (CMPs) that adhere to the new standards.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Data Minimization: Companies should adopt a data minimization approach, collecting only the data that is strictly necessary for their operations. This reduces the risk of non-compliance and enhances user trust.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Enhanced User Transparency: Transparency is now more critical than ever. Businesses need to clearly communicate their data practices to users, ensuring that they understand what data is being collected and for what purposes.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="ember74" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__heading-2">Detailed Steps for Transitioning to First-Party Data Solutions</h2>
Transitioning to first-party data solutions is an effective way to comply with the new ePrivacy guidelines and enhance data privacy. Here are practical and detailed steps businesses can take:
<h3 id="ember76" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__heading-3">Conduct a Data Audit:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Identify Dependencies: Begin with a comprehensive audit of your current data collection and processing practices. Identify all third-party dependencies and assess their compliance with the new guidelines. Using <a href="https://privacyscanner.aesirx.io/" target="_self" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #1ab391;">AesirX Privacy Scanner and Privacy Advisor AI</a> is very useful and free tools to get started.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Review Tracking Technologies: Include a thorough review of all cookies, pixel trackers, and other tracking technologies used on your site.</li>
<li>External Privacy Review: Consider to hire an external expert to conduct a technical <a href="https://privacyscanner.aesirx.io/privacy-review" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #1ab391;">web-facing privacy review</a> to ensure your data practices are where your privacy policy says they should be.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="ember80" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__heading-3">Implement a Consent Management Platform (CMP):</h3>
<ul>
<li>Choose the Right CMP: Select a CMP that fully complies with the latest ePrivacy guidelines. The CMP should provide clear options for users to give and manage their consent preferences. <a href="https://analytics.aesirx.io" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #1ab391;">AesirX Analytics</a> is a combined CMP and Analytics solution that offers the best of both worlds; first-party.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Customize Consent Banners: Design consent banners that are easy to understand and navigate. Ensure they explain what data is being collected, why it is being collected, and how it will be used.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Deferred Loading of Cookies and Trackers: Configure your website to defer the loading of any tracking technologies until after the user has provided informed consent. This may involve technical adjustments to your website’s code to ensure that no cookies or trackers are loaded before consent is obtained.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="ember85" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__heading-3">Transition to First-Party Data Collection:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Seek First-Party Alternatives: For each third-party service identified, research first-party alternatives or ways to achieve similar functionality without compromising user privacy. <a href="https://privacyscanner.aesirx.io/first-party" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #1ab391;">AesirX First-Party Foundation</a> is such an alternative; and is also open source and free.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Implement First-Party Tools: Deploy first-party data collection tools to gather data directly from user interactions on your website. These tools should be configured to respect user consent preferences.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="ember89" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__heading-3">Ensure Continuous Compliance:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Regular Monitoring: Regularly monitor your data practices to ensure they remain compliant with the latest regulations. Use tools like the <a href="https://privacyscanner.aesirx.io/why-privacy-monitoring" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #1ab391;">AesirX Privacy Monitoring</a> to perform regular privacy scans and identify potential compliance issues.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Update Policies and Practices: Stay informed about regulatory changes and update your data privacy policies and practices accordingly. Revise your privacy policy to reflect the latest guidelines and ensure all data processing activities are documented and compliant.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="ember93" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__heading-3">Educate and Train Your Team:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Training Programs: Provide training for your team on the new ePrivacy guidelines and best practices for data collection and user consent management. Ensure everyone understands the importance of obtaining prior consent before loading any tracking technologies.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Ongoing Education: Continuously educate your team on evolving data privacy laws and how they impact your business. Regular workshops and updates can help keep everyone informed and aligned with compliance requirements.</li>
</ul>
<img src="https/api.aesirx.io/images/https/api.aesirx.io/images/comparison-chart-of-selected-analytics-consent-solution-providers.png" alt="comparison chart of selected analytics consent solution providers" width="942" height="530" />
<h2 id="ember97" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__heading-2">Business Benefits of Compliance</h2>
While ensuring compliance with the new ePrivacy guidelines can seem challenging, it also presents several business benefits:
<ul>
<li>Building Customer Trust: Transparent data practices and respecting user consent build trust with your customers, which can lead to increased customer loyalty and retention.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Competitive Advantage: Businesses that prioritize data privacy can differentiate themselves from competitors who are less compliant, potentially attracting more privacy-conscious customers.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Operational Efficiency: Implementing first-party data solutions can improve the quality and accuracy of the data collected, leading to better decision-making and more effective marketing strategies.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Legal and Financial Security: Complying with the guidelines helps avoid legal penalties and fines associated with non-compliance, protecting your business financially and reputationally.</li>
</ul>
Adapting to the new ePrivacy guidelines requires a strategic approach that prioritizes user consent, transparency, and the transition to first-party data solutions. By understanding the implications of these guidelines and implementing practical steps to comply, businesses can not only avoid legal risks but also build stronger, trust-based relationships with their users. 
<div class="readmore ps-4 mb-2rem py-2 ms-4 border-start border-2 border-success">
Read more:
<a href="https://gothard.dk/blog/understanding-the-eprivacy-framework-directive-guidelines-and-regulation" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="color: #1ab394;">Understanding the ePrivacy Framework: Directive, Guidelines, and Regulation </a>
</div>
For more insights and tools to help you navigate these changes, consider exploring <a href="https://aesirx.io/solutions" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="color: #1ab391;">AesirX’s suite of privacy solutions</a> designed to support compliance and enhance user trust.
Start by conducting a <a href="https://privacyscanner.aesirx.io" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #1ab391;">free privacy scan</a> with AesirX Privacy Scanner to assess your current compliance status and identify areas for improvement. Take the first step towards a privacy-first future today!
Ronni K. Gothard Christiansen // <a href="https://twitter.com/VikingTechGuy" target="_self" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #1ab391;">VikingTechGuy</a> 
Creator, <a href="http://aesirx.io" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #1ab391;">AesirX.io</a>
<hr />
About the AesirX Privacy Scanner: 
The <a href="https://privacyscanner.aesirx.io/" target="_self" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #1ab391;">AesirX Privacy Scanner</a> is a powerful tool designed to ensure that websites comply with the stringent requirements of the ePrivacy Directive and GDPR. Using the EU's <a href="https://www.edps.europa.eu/edps-inspection-software_en" target="_self" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #808080;">EDPS (European Data Protection Supervisor) Inspection Tool</a>, the AesirX Privacy Scanner conducts thorough scans of websites to identify non-compliant elements, including cookies, trackers, and beacons. 
AesirX also offers a free <a href="https://aesirx.io/privacy-advisor-ai" target="_self" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #1ab391;">Privacy Advisor AI</a> Assistant that helps to explain the scanned results from the EDPS Inspection Tool and offers concrete recommendations on what is needed to resolve compliance issues found in the scan result. 
By leveraging these tools, businesses can receive detailed reports and actionable insights to rectify compliance issues and avoid potential fines. 
Join our community and catch up with all the latest information and news on Telegram <a href="https://t.me/aesirx_official_community" style="color: #1ab391;">https://t.me/aesirx_official_community</a>&nbsp;

How Businesses Can Adapt to New ePrivacy Guidelines

Blog Gothard

New ePrivacy guidelines require informed user consent for data collection. Use AesirX privacy tools to ensure compliance, enhance transparency, build trust, and leverage first-party data

In a recent ruling, a Swedish company, Avanza Bank AB, was <a href="https://www.imy.se/globalassets/dokument/beslut/2024/beslut-tillsyn-avanza.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #1ab391;">fined for using Meta's Pixel Tracker</a>. This decision underscores the stringent requirements for informed consent under both the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Article 5(3) of the ePrivacy Directive (ePD). This case has far-reaching implications for how companies handle consent for various tracking technologies, emphasizing the need for first-party-based consent solutions.
<h2 id="ember61" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__heading-2">Summary of the Swedish Ruling on Avanza Bank's Use of Meta's Pixel Tracker</h2>
<h3 id="ember65" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__heading-3">Key Findings</h3>
<h4 id="ember66" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__heading-3">Data Breach Details:</h4>
<ul>
<li>The breach occurred from November 15, 2019, to June 2, 2021.</li>
<li>Personal data of approximately 500,000 to 1 million individuals were incorrectly transferred to Meta.</li>
<li>The data included personal identification numbers, loan amounts, account numbers, and other sensitive information.</li>
</ul>
<h4 id="ember69" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__heading-3">Cause of the Breach:</h4>
<ul>
<li>The breach was caused by the accidental activation of Meta’s Automatic Advanced Matching (AAM) feature within the Meta Pixel.</li>
<li>The activation of this feature resulted in the unauthorized transfer of personal data to Meta.</li>
</ul>
<h4 id="ember72" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__heading-3">Bank's Actions and Oversight:</h4>
<ul>
<li>The activation was unintended, and Avanza Bank claimed it was not possible to verify how or by whom the feature was activated.</li>
<li>Upon discovery, Avanza Bank deactivated the Meta Pixel and took steps to ensure no further data was transferred.</li>
</ul>
<h4 id="ember75" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__heading-3">Regulatory Violations:</h4>
<ul>
<li>Avanza Bank was found to have violated Articles 5.1(f) and 32.1 of the GDPR, which require appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure data security.</li>
<li>The bank did not follow its documented procedures for implementing and monitoring new functionalities, leading to the unauthorized data transfer.</li>
</ul>
<h4 id="ember78" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__heading-3">Security and Confidentiality:</h4>
<ul>
<li>The data involved included highly sensitive information that required a high level of protection.</li>
<li>The bank's failure to detect and prevent the unauthorized data transfer indicated a lack of adequate systematic security measures.</li>
</ul>
<h4 id="ember81" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__heading-3">Consequences:</h4>
<ul>
<li>The IMY imposed an administrative fine of 15 million SEK (approximately 1.3 million EUR) on Avanza Bank for these breaches.</li>
<li>The decision highlights the need for stringent compliance with GDPR and ePrivacy Directive requirements, especially concerning the use of tracking technologies.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="ember84" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__heading-2">Connecting the Case to Article 5(3) of the ePrivacy Directive</h2>
The ruling against Avanza Bank highlights the critical importance of Article 5(3) of the ePrivacy Directive, which addresses the use of tracking technologies. Article 5(3) requires that any information stored or accessed on a user’s device must be done with the user’s informed consent, except when it is strictly necessary for the service explicitly requested by the user.
<h3 id="ember87" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__heading-3">Key Points of Article 5(3) ePD</h3>
<ul>
<li>Informed Consent: Explicit and informed consent is mandatory for the use of tracking technologies like cookies and pixels.</li>
<li>Transparency: Users must be informed about the purposes of data collection and their consent must be obtained before any data processing.</li>
<li>First-Party Solutions: Companies should adopt first-party consent solutions to maintain compliance and enhance data security.</li>
<li>Equal Treatment: There is no distinction between first-party and third-party trackers; all require the same level of consent.</li>
</ul>
Connecting the ruling to ePD 5(3) ads an even more interesting layer; the ruling was in reference to Articles 5.1(f) and 32.1 of the GDPR, yet under ePD 5(3) loading Meta’s Pixel Tracker without consent is a violation in itself, as it accesses the user's device and is collecting information without transparent and informed consent.
<div class="readmore ps-4 mb-2rem py-2 ms-4 border-start border-2 border-success">
Read more:
<a href="https://gothard.dk/blog/gdpr-and-eprivacy-directive-compliance-a-guide-for-website-owners" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="color: #1ab394;">GDPR and ePrivacy Directive Compliance: A Guide for Website Owners</a>
</div>
<h2>Implications for Businesses</h2>
Businesses must now adopt first-party consent solutions to comply with GDPR and ePrivacy Directive requirements. This shift addresses compliance and enhances user trust and data security. The distinction between first-party and third-party data collection has been effectively dissolved, with consent being mandatory for all.
Steps to Achieve Compliance
<ul>
<li>Implement Transparent Consent Mechanisms: Ensure that consent mechanisms are clear, accessible, and fully compliant with GDPR and ePrivacy Directive standards. This involves detailed disclosures about data collection practices and obtaining explicit user consent before any data processing occurs. <a href="https://analytics.aesirx.io/" target="_self" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #1ab391;">AesirX Analytics</a> is such a tool that handles first-party consent and analytics in a seamless solution.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Adopt a First-Party Data Strategy: The transition from third-party data collection to first-party solutions. This approach mitigates legal risks and provides better control over data quality and security. <a href="https://privacyscanner.aesirx.io/first-party" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="color: #1ab391;">AesirX First-Party Foundation</a> is an Open-Source Solution Suite that offers seamless compliance for business owners.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Utilize Privacy-Enhancing Technologies: Leverage technologies that enhance user privacy and comply with regulatory standards. AesirX offers tools like <a href="https://bi.aesirx.io/" target="_self" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #1ab391;">AesirX Business Intelligence</a> and <a href="https://shield.aesirx.io/" target="_self" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #1ab391;">AesirX Shield of Privacy</a> that facilitate this transition and connect to Analytics.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Conduct Regular Privacy Audits: Regularly audit your data practices to ensure ongoing compliance with GDPR and the ePrivacy Directive. This includes reviewing consent mechanisms and data handling processes. Utilizing <a href="https://privacyscanner.aesirx.io/" target="_self" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #1ab391;">AesirX Privacy Scanner</a> and the world's first Privacy Advisor AI is a quick and easy way to get started.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Educate and Train Your Team: Ensure that your team understands the importance of privacy compliance and the technical requirements to maintain it and has access to real-time privacy and monitoring tools like <a href="https://privacyscanner.aesirx.io/why-privacy-monitoring" target="_self" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #1ab391;">AesirX Privacy Monitoring</a>.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="ember108" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__heading-2">Do You Need Help?</h2>
The recent ruling signals all businesses to prioritize privacy compliance to avoid hefty fines and build a trustworthy brand. If you need help navigating these regulations, our AesirX Privacy Review offers a comprehensive assessment of your privacy practices and actionable recommendations for improvement.
<img src="https/api.aesirx.io/images/https/api.aesirx.io/images/aesirx-privacy-review-screenshot-from-https-privacyscanneraesirxio.png" alt="aesirx privacy review screenshot from https privacyscanneraesirxio" />
Is your business ready to comply with GDPR and the ePrivacy Directive? Contact us today to <a href="https://privacyscanner.aesirx.io/privacy-review" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #1ab391;">Schedule a Web-Facing Privacy Review</a> and ensure your practices meet the latest regulatory standards at a special introductory price. Protect your business and build trust with your users by adopting a privacy-first approach.
Ronni K. Gothard Christiansen // <a href="https://twitter.com/VikingTechGuy" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #1ab391;">VikingTechGuy</a> 
Creator, <a href="http://aesirx.io" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #1ab391;">AesirX.io</a>
<div class="readmore ps-4 mb-2rem py-2 ms-4 border-start border-2 border-success">
Read more about ePD Framework:
<a href="https://gothard.dk/blog/understanding-the-eprivacy-framework-directive-guidelines-and-regulation" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="color: #1ab394;">Understanding the ePrivacy Framework: Directive, Guidelines, and Regulation</a>
</div>
<hr />
About the AesirX Privacy Scanner: 
The <a href="https://privacyscanner.aesirx.io" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #1ab391;">AesirX Privacy Scanner</a> is a powerful tool designed to ensure that websites comply with the stringent requirements of the ePrivacy Directive and GDPR. Using the EU's <a href="https://www.edps.europa.eu/edps-inspection-software_en" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="app-aware-link">EDPS (European Data Protection Supervisor) Inspection Tool</a>, the AesirX Privacy Scanner conducts thorough scans of websites to identify non-compliant elements, including cookies, trackers, and beacons. 
AesirX also offers a free <a href="https://aesirx.io/privacy-advisor-ai" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #1ab391;">Privacy Advisor AI</a> Assistant that helps to explain the scanned results from the EDPS Inspection Tool and offers concrete recommendations on what is needed to resolve compliance issues found in the scan result.

The Landmark Case Against Meta's Pixel Tracker: Implications for GDPR and ePrivacy Compliance

Avanza Bank fined for Meta Pixel misuse. The case stresses informed consent for tracking, urging first-party solutions.

Meta's Pixel Tracker: Implications for GDPR and ePrivacy Compliance

Did you know that under the latest ePrivacy Directive Guidelines 02/2023, released on November 14th, 2023, all third-party consent solutions are now deemed non-compliant? This significant update has reshaped the landscape of digital privacy, compelling businesses to rethink their approach to user consent and data protection.
<h2>Ensuring Compliance for First-Party Analytics</h2>
Many website owners are unaware that consent is also required for first-party analytics. This misconception can lead to unintentional non-compliance with privacy regulations. It's crucial to understand that whether data is collected by a third-party service or directly by your site, obtaining explicit user consent is mandatory.
<div class="readmore ps-4 mb-2rem py-2 ms-4 border-start border-2 border-success">
Read more:
<a href="https://gothard.dk/blog/introducing-aesirx-first-party-foundation-transforming-analytics-and-compliance-for-wordpress-and-woocommerce" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="color: #1ab394;">Introducing AesirX First-Party Foundation: Transforming Analytics and Compliance for WordPress and WooCommerce</a>
</div>
<h2>Empowering Users Against Big Tech Data Abuse</h2>
The ePrivacy Directive Article 5(3) is a cornerstone in the fight against data abuse by Big Tech. This provision mandates that users must give informed consent before any data can be collected from their devices. It places the power back into the hands of the users, ensuring they are aware of and agree to the data collection practices of websites and apps they interact with. By enforcing this legal framework, the directive aims to curb the invasive data collection practices commonly employed by large technology companies, promoting greater transparency and user autonomy in the digital landscape.
A notable example of this impact is Meta's recent decision to cease using data collected from users in the EU for training its AI models. This move underscores the power of the ePrivacy Directive, which ensures that users in the EU have robust protections and the right to informed consent. In contrast, users outside the EU often lack such stringent protections, highlighting the importance of similar regulatory frameworks globally to prevent data misuse and enhance user privacy.
However; this makes little difference if 97% of the website- and e-commerce store owners are rampantly collecting and sharing data with BigTech, without informed due consent.
<div class="readmore ps-4 mb-2rem py-2 ms-4 border-start border-2 border-success">
Read more:
<a href="https://gothard.dk/blog/gdpr-and-eprivacy-directive-compliance-a-guide-for-website-owners" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="color: #1ab394;">GDPR and ePrivacy Directive Compliance: A Guide for Website Owners</a>
</div>
<h2>Navigating GDPR and the ePrivacy Directive</h2>
Over the past few months, I have dedicated my articles to dissecting the ePrivacy Framework to aid business owners and industry professionals in navigating the new requirements introduced with Guidelines 02/2023. These articles stemmed from my coverage of the Danish E-Commerce Awards, where privacy scans of nominees and winners revealed a widespread lack of compliance with the new guidelines.
AesirX also offers a free Privacy Advisor AI Assistant that helps to explain the scanned results from the EDPS Inspection Tool and offers concrete recommendations on what is needed to resolve compliance issues found in the scan result.
<div class="readmore ps-4 mb-2rem py-2 ms-4 border-start border-2 border-success">
Read more:
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/state-privacy-danish-e-commerce-awards-christiansen-nnbkc/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="color: #1ab394;">State of Privacy - The Danish E-commerce Awards</a>
</div>
<h2 id="ember321" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__heading-2">The Need for Awareness and Tools</h2>
The findings from scanning the Danish E-Commerce Awards nominees and winners showed a critical lack of awareness regarding data protection and privacy. This gap in compliance led us to release the <a href="https://privacyscanner.aesirx.io/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #1ab391;">AesirX Privacy Scanner</a> and the world's first <a href="https://aesirx.io/privacy-advisor-ai" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #1ab391;">Privacy Advisor AI</a> earlier this year. 
We also launched our <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/introducing-aesirx-first-party-foundation-analytics-christiansen-11qbc/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #1ab391;">AesirX First-Party Foundation</a> as our Open Source and Free 1 click installable seamless compliant analytics and consent platform for WordPress/Woo, Joomla! and Drupal as well as implementation through JS in various forms covering up to 95% of all sites online today. 
These tools are designed to empower business owners and industry professionals by providing the technical resources and knowledge needed to stay compliant as well as access to open-source solutions that make it possible for everyone, without consideration of budget, to be compliant.
I hope this series of articles increases awareness and provides concrete knowledge and access to tools and solutions to reduce the 97% of websites currently at high risk. Together, we can make the web a safer place for everyone, ensuring that visiting a website or an e-commerce store doesn't mean having your personal data collected, shared, and abused without your consent.
Ronni K. Gothard Christiansen // <a href="https://twitter.com/VikingTechGuy" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #1ab391;">VikingTechGuy</a> 
Creator, <a href="http://aesirx.io/" target="_self" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #1ab391;">AesirX.io</a>
<a href="https://whitepaper.aesirx.io/" target="_self" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #1ab391;">Do you want to learn more about AesirX?</a>
Join our community and catch up with all the latest information and news on Telegram <a href="https://t.me/aesirx_official_community" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="color: #1ab391;">https://t.me/aesirx_official_community</a>

From Third-Party to First-Party: Adapting to ePrivacy Directive Guidelines 02/2023

New ePrivacy rules (Nov 2023) kill third-party consent! Businesses must adopt first-party data strategies for user consent and privacy protection

First-Party Data: Navigating ePrivacy Directive 02/2023

The landscape of data privacy in the European Union is governed by a complex framework that includes the ePrivacy Directive, specific guidelines, and a proposed regulation. This article aims to clarify the differences between the ePrivacy Directive, the Guidelines 02/2023 on the Technical Scope of Article 5(3) of the ePrivacy Directive, and the draft ePrivacy Regulation, last updated in 2021.
This is a follow-up article to “<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/understanding-distinction-how-eprivacy-directive-gdpr-christiansen-9dwbc/" target="_self" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #1ab391;">Understanding the Distinction: How ePrivacy Directive Trumps GDPR for Website Compliance</a>” and “<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/gdpr-eprivacy-directive-compliance-guide-website-christiansen-j9wwc/" target="_self" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #1ab391;">GDPR and ePrivacy Directive Compliance: A Guide for Website Owners</a>” written with the purpose of helping business owners as well as industry professionals in understanding the ePrivacy Directive and Guidelines 02/2023 and why they need to take Guidelines 02/2023 serious or face major compliance risk.
<h2 id="ember63" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__heading-2">The ePrivacy Directive</h2>
<h3 id="ember64" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__paragraph">1. Overview:</h3>
The ePrivacy Directive (Directive 2002/58/EC), often referred to as the "Cookie Law," was adopted in 2002 and amended in 2009 (Directive 2009/136/EC). It focuses on the privacy and protection of personal data in electronic communications.
<h3 id="ember67" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__paragraph">2. Scope:</h3>
The directive covers:
<ul>
<li>Confidentiality of communications.</li>
<li>Data retention.</li>
<li>Consent requirements for storing or accessing information on a user’s device (such as cookies).</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="ember71" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__paragraph">3. Implementation:</h3>
Unlike regulations, directives require transposition into national law. All EU member states have transposed the ePrivacy Directive into their national legal frameworks, making its provisions legally binding within each country.
<h3 id="ember74" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__paragraph">4. Key Principle:</h3>
Article 5(3) of the directive mandates that storing or accessing information on a user’s device requires prior consent, unless it is strictly necessary for providing a service explicitly requested by the user.
<h2 id="ember77" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__heading-2">Guidelines 02/2023 on the Technical Scope of Article 5(3)</h2>
<h3 id="ember78" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__paragraph">1. Overview:</h3>
Issued by the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) on November 14, 2023, these guidelines provide detailed clarification on the application of Article 5(3) of the ePrivacy Directive.
<h3 id="ember81" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__paragraph">2. Purpose:</h3>
The guidelines aim to:
<ul>
<li>Clarify what constitutes "terminal equipment" and the nature of information that requires consent.</li>
<li>Ensure consistent interpretation and enforcement of the directive across EU member states.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="ember85" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__paragraph">3. Role of Guidelines:</h3>
The guidelines serve as the main source for Data Protection Authorities (DPAs) in member states to utilize for aligned enforcement of the ePrivacy Directive. They provide a uniform framework for interpreting and applying the directive, ensuring that member states enforce the directive consistently.
<h3 id="ember88" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__paragraph">4. Key Points:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Tracking Technologies: The guidelines expand the understanding of tracking technologies, including cookies, pixels, local processing, IP-based tracking, IoT devices, and unique identifiers.</li>
<li>Consent Requirement: Reinforce that explicit consent is required before any information is stored or accessed on a user’s device unless strictly necessary for a requested service.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="ember91" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__heading-2">The Draft ePrivacy Regulation (2017, Updated 2021)</h2>
<h3 id="ember92" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__paragraph">1. Overview:</h3>
The draft ePrivacy Regulation, proposed in 2017 and last updated in 2021, aims to replace the existing ePrivacy Directive with a regulation that provides a more harmonized and updated framework for privacy in electronic communications.
<h3 id="ember95" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__paragraph">2. Scope:</h3>
The proposed regulation expands the scope of the directive to cover new communication services such as instant messaging, VoIP, and IoT devices, alongside traditional telecom providers.
<h3 id="ember98" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__paragraph">3. Key Changes:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Direct Applicability: As a regulation, it would be directly applicable in all EU member states, ensuring uniformity without the need for national transposition.</li>
<li>Broader Coverage: The regulation extends privacy protections to a wider range of electronic communications, including metadata.</li>
<li>Cookie Walls and Consent: The draft addresses the use of cookie walls and strengthens the consent requirements for cookies and tracking technologies.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="ember101" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__paragraph">4. Current Status:</h3>
The draft regulation is still under negotiation and has not been adopted. Its approval and implementation have been delayed, and it remains in the legislative process.
<h2 id="ember104" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__heading-2">Key Differences</h2>
<h3 id="ember105" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__paragraph">1. Legal Status:</h3>
<ul>
<li>ePrivacy Directive: Binding only after transposition into national laws.</li>
<li>Guidelines 02/2023: Non-binding but serve as authoritative guidance for the consistent application of the directive.</li>
<li>Draft ePrivacy Regulation: Not yet adopted; would be directly binding once passed.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="ember108" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__paragraph">2. Scope and Application:</h3>
<ul>
<li>ePrivacy Directive: Focuses on the confidentiality of electronic communications and consent requirements.</li>
<li>Guidelines 02/2023: Clarify and expand on the technical scope of the directive, particularly regarding modern tracking technologies.</li>
<li>Draft ePrivacy Regulation: Aims to provide a more comprehensive and updated framework, covering a broader range of electronic communication services and ensuring uniform application across the EU.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="ember111" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__paragraph">3. Implementation:</h3>
<ul>
<li>ePrivacy Directive: Implemented through national laws, leading to variations in enforcement.</li>
<li>Guidelines 02/2023: Provide uniform interpretation but do not have the force of law.</li>
<li>Draft ePrivacy Regulation: Would be uniformly applicable across the EU without the need for national transposition.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="ember114" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__heading-2">Clarifying the Confusion</h2>
Understanding the distinctions between the ePrivacy Directive, the Guidelines 02/2023, and the draft ePrivacy Regulation is crucial for businesses operating within the EU. While the directive and guidelines currently govern data privacy in electronic communications, the proposed regulation aims to enhance and unify these protections across the EU. Businesses must stay informed and compliant with existing laws and prepare for potential changes that the ePrivacy Regulation may bring.
However, there is considerable misinformation circulating, particularly from major providers in the consent- and analytics industry. Many industry suppliers seem to be disregarding Guidelines 02/2023, with some incorrectly referencing these guidelines as being related to the draft ePrivacy Regulation. This misinformation can lead to significant compliance issues for businesses relying on these providers.
<h2 id="ember118" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__heading-3">The Impact of Misinformation</h2>
<h3 id="ember119" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__paragraph">1. Misleading Claims:</h3>
Some providers are not taking Guidelines 02/2023 seriously, despite their crucial role in ensuring aligned enforcement of the ePrivacy Directive across the EU. These guidelines are meant to guide DPAs in member states on how to uniformly interpret and apply the directive.
<h3 id="ember122" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__paragraph">2. Compliance Risks:</h3>
By ignoring these guidelines or misrepresenting their relevance, businesses may inadvertently fall out of compliance with the ePrivacy Directive, exposing themselves to potential fines and reputational damage.
<h3 id="ember125" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__paragraph">3. Importance of Accurate Information:</h3>
It's vital for businesses to seek accurate information and use tools like the AesirX Privacy Scanner to ensure they meet the stringent requirements set forth by these regulations. This proactive approach to data privacy compliance is crucial in today's digital landscape, where user trust and regulatory scrutiny are at an all-time high.
<h2 id="ember128" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__heading-2">Ensuring Compliance</h2>
To navigate these complexities and ensure compliance:
<ul>
<li>Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date with the latest guidelines and regulatory changes.</li>
<li>Use Reliable Tools: Leverage tools like <a href="https://privacyscanner.aesirx.io/" target="_self" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #1ab391;">AesirX Privacy Scanner</a> to assess compliance status and receive actionable recommendations.</li>
<li>Consult Experts: Seek guidance from knowledgeable professionals to understand the implications of the regulations and guidelines fully.</li>
</ul>
By understanding and implementing these distinctions, organizations can better navigate the complexities of digital compliance, avoiding potential fines and fostering greater trust with their users.
I hope this article, along with the others in this series, helps to increase awareness and understanding among industry professionals, business owners, and agencies. It is crucial to recognize that Guidelines 02/2023 of the ePrivacy Directive are a cornerstone of European compliance policies. Until the ePrivacy Regulation is adopted, the ePrivacy Directive and Guidelines 02/2023 cannot be ignored without exposing yourself to significant compliance risks.
If you need help with technical compliance you can book a <a href="https://calendly.com/ronni-guy/30min" target="_self" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #1ab391;">30-minute meeting</a> with me.
Ronni K. Gothard Christiansen // <a href="https://twitter.com/VikingTechGuy" target="_self" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #1ab391;">VikingTechGuy</a> 
Creator, <a href="http://aesirx.io/" target="_self" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #1ab391;">AesirX.io</a>
Join our community and catch up with all the latest information and news on Telegram <a href="https://t.me/aesirx_official_community" style="color: #1ab391;">https://t.me/aesirx_official_community</a>

Understanding the ePrivacy Framework: Directive, Guidelines, and Regulation

Impressive DAM solution! Secure storage, WEB3/IPFS, and Concordium blockchain for security. Checking out blog!

Learn how to comply with GDPR and ePrivacy Directive regulations to protect user privacy and avoid penalties.

GDPR and ePrivacy Compliance Guide for Websites

Discover essential tips for GDPR and ePrivacy Directive compliance, crucial for protecting user privacy online.

Essential GDPR & ePrivacy Directive Guide

GDPR and ePrivacy Directive Compliance: A Guide for Website Owners

Learn how to navigate GDPR and ePrivacy Directive compliance to protect user privacy and avoid fines with our comprehensive guide for website owners.

Guide to GDPR and ePD Compliance for Website Owners

As the privacy landscape evolves, so do the complexities surrounding data protection laws such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the ePrivacy Directive. <a href="https://privacyscanner.aesirx.io" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="color: #1ab394;">AesirX Privacy Scanner</a> emerges as an essential tool for businesses, offering free assessments and real-time insights to ensure adherence to these stringent regulations.
<img src="https/api.aesirx.io/images/gdpr-and-eprivacy-directive-compliance-insights-from-aesirx.jpg" alt="gdpr and eprivacy directive compliance insights from aesirx" width="942" height="531" />
<h2>Understanding the Regulatory Framework</h2>
<h3>GDPR:</h3>
Scope: GDPR provides a comprehensive framework for data protection across all personal data processing activities within the EU.
Key Principle: Emphasizes lawful processing, data minimization, transparency, and user rights, such as the right to access, correct, and delete personal data.
<h3>ePrivacy Directive:</h3>
Scope: Known as the "Cookie Law," the ePrivacy Directive specifically targets the confidentiality of electronic communications, including cookies, tracking technologies, and marketing consent.
Key Principle: Article 5(3) mandates that storing or accessing information on a user’s device requires prior consent, unless strictly necessary for the provision of a service explicitly requested by the user.
<h2>Revealing the Compliance Landscape</h2>
AesirX Privacy Scanner provides a critical service by categorizing compliance risks into three levels: low, medium, and high. Recent data from over 25,000 privacy scans highlight a concerning reality (data collected 17/06/2024 05:00 GMT+2):
<ul>
<li>High Risk: 97.88% of websites exhibit high-risk levels, failing to meet the stringent requirements of both GDPR and the ePrivacy Directive.</li>
<li>Medium Risk: 0.64% show moderate compliance issues that require attention.</li>
<li>Low Risk: 1.47% demonstrate strong adherence to these regulations, setting a benchmark for privacy standards.</li>
</ul>
<h2>How the Risk Assessment is Done</h2>
The AesirX Privacy Scanner leverages the EDPS Inspection Tool, a robust framework that ensures thorough compliance checks. This tool utilizes the EasyPrivacy list, a widely respected blacklist that helps identify and block tracking technologies that compromise user privacy. By incorporating these advanced resources, AesirX Privacy Scanner can provide accurate and detailed risk assessments, helping businesses understand their compliance status and take necessary corrective actions.
<h2>The Implications of High-Risk</h2>
The overwhelming prevalence of high-risk results underscores a significant compliance gap. Many website owners believe they are compliant due to assurances from their service providers. However, due to non-compliant solutions as well as a lack of awareness and access to qualified advice, these businesses are at major risk.&nbsp;
This suggests that business owners either remain unaware of the stringent requirements of GDPR and the ePrivacy Directive or find it challenging to implement effective compliance measures.&nbsp;
High-risk websites are particularly vulnerable to enforcement actions and the associated financial and reputational repercussions. Continuous monitoring and proactive compliance adjustments are essential to bridge this gap and ensure true adherence to data protection laws.
<h2>Ensuring Seamless Compliance</h2>
Here are a few simple steps to help achieve GDPR and ePrivacy Directive compliance using AesirX Privacy Scanner:
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">Begin by visiting the <a href="https://privacyscanner.aesirx.io/" style="color: #1ab394;">AesirX Privacy Scanner website</a>.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Enter your website's URL to initiate the scan.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Review the detailed compliance report provided.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Utilize the <a href="https://aesirx.io/privacy-advisor-ai" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="color: #1ab394;">Privacy Advisor AI</a> or <a href="https://aesirx.io/chatgpt-privacy-advisor" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="color: #1ab394;">ChatGPT Privacy Advisor</a> for personalized guidance on compliance queries.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Implement the recommended solutions to strengthen your website's privacy practices effectively.&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
<h2>Why First-Party Solutions Matter</h2>
First-party analytics, like those provided by AesirX Analytics and Matomo Analytics, also require prior consent under the ePrivacy Directive Article 5(3). This directive mandates explicit consent for storing or accessing any information on a user’s device unless strictly necessary for providing a service explicitly requested by the user. Many businesses mistakenly rely on GDPR’s legitimate interest clause, but the ePrivacy Directive’s requirements are more stringent, emphasizing the need for prior consent.
<h2>Third-Party; The Compliance Challenge</h2>
Third-party consent solutions like CookieBot and CookieInformation have been widely used by businesses to manage user consent for cookies and trackers. However, these solutions often fall short of compliance with the ePrivacy Directive. The main issue lies in their method of operation, which typically involves loading third-party scripts before obtaining user consent. This practice directly contravenes Article 5(3) of the ePrivacy Directive, which requires explicit consent before any information is stored or accessed on a user's device.
The <a href="https://www.edpb.europa.eu/our-work-tools/documents/public-consultations/2023/guidelines-22023-technical-scope-art-53-eprivacy_en" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="color: #1ab394;">November 14, 2023 guidelines</a> from the EDPB have made it unequivocally clear that third-party tracking or consent solutions cannot be loaded without prior consent.&nbsp;
This clarification highlights that consent must be obtained first, effectively nullifying any attempt to bypass this requirement through GDPR exceptions. This is particularly relevant for businesses using third-party consent management platforms, as their business model is no longer valid if they load scripts prior to gaining user consent.
<h2>Ensuring Compliance; First-Party Foundation</h2>
The AesirX First-Party Foundation is designed to be seamlessly compliant with both GDPR and the ePrivacy Directive. By focusing on a privacy-by-design approach, our solutions ensure that user consent is obtained before any data is collected or processed. This approach not only meets the stringent requirements of Article 5(3) but also fosters greater trust between website owners and their visitors by respecting user privacy and providing transparent data practices.
By adopting first-party solutions like AesirX Analytics, AesirX Business Intelligence and AesirX First-Party Server as in the <a href="https://privacyscanner.aesirx.io/first-party" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AesirX First-Party Foundation</a>, businesses can avoid the pitfalls associated with third-party consent solutions and ensure they remain seamlessly compliant with all relevant data protection laws.
<h2>Taking Action: Start With a Scan</h2>
The real-time statistics from AesirX Privacy Scanner reveal the significant privacy challenges that websites face today. By leveraging this tool, businesses can actively protect user data and demonstrate their commitment to GDPR and ePrivacy compliance. Don’t wait until non-compliance becomes costly. Start with a free scan using AesirX Privacy Scanner today and begin your journey toward achieving exemplary data privacy standards.
Ronni K. Gothard Christiansen // <a href="https://twitter.com/VikingTechGuy" style="color: #1ab394;">VikingTechGuy</a>&nbsp;
Creator, AesirX.io
<h3>References</h3>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/understanding-distinction-how-eprivacy-directive-gdpr-christiansen-9dwbc/">Why does ePD 5,3 Trumps GDPR?</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/679/oj" style="color: #1ab394;">General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX%3A32002L0058" style="color: #1ab394;">ePrivacy Directive (Directive 2002/58/EC)</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.edpb.europa.eu/system/files/2023-11/edpb_guidelines_202302_technical_scope_art_53_eprivacydirective_en.pdf" style="color: #1ab394;">EDPB Guidelines on Article 5(3) of the ePrivacy Directive</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>About the AesirX Privacy Scanner</h3>
The <a href="https://privacyscanner.aesirx.io" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="color: #1ab394;">AesirX Privacy Scanner</a> is a powerful tool designed to ensure that websites comply with the stringent requirements of the ePrivacy Directive and GDPR. Using the EU's <a href="https://www.edps.europa.eu/edps-inspection-software_en" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="color: #1ab394;">EDPS (European Data Protection Supervisor) Inspection Tool</a>, the AesirX Privacy Scanner conducts thorough scans of websites to identify non-compliant elements, including cookies, trackers, and beacons.&nbsp;
AesirX also offers a free <a href="https://aesirx.io/privacy-advisor-ai" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="color: #1ab394;">Privacy Advisor AI</a> Assistant that helps to explain the scanned results from the EDPS Inspection Tool and offers concrete recommendations on what is needed to resolve compliance issues found in the scan result.&nbsp;
By leveraging these tools, businesses can receive detailed reports and actionable insights to rectify compliance issues and avoid potential fines.

AesirX Privacy Scanner provides a critical service by categorizing compliance risks into three levels: low, medium, and high

Real-Time GDPR and ePrivacy Directive Compliance Insights

97% of Websites at High Risk: Real-Time GDPR and ePrivacy Directive Compliance Insights

Discover real-time GDPR and ePrivacy compliance insights with AesirX. Identify privacy risks, ensure compliance, and protect your website from fines today

GDPR and ePrivacy Directive Compliance Insights from AesirX

97-percent of Websites at High Risk: Real-Time GDPR and ePrivacy Directive Compliance Insights

AesirX leads in digital privacy, pioneering solutions that ensure compliance while maintaining user experience quality. This week, we are thrilled to launch the first product demo for <a href="https://privacyscanner.aesirx.io/first-party" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="color: #1ab391;">AesirX First-Party Foundation</a>, specifically designed for WordPress and WooCommerce.
<h2>Unveiling AesirX First-Party Foundation</h2>
AesirX First-Party Foundation is a comprehensive suite of business solutions that integrates seamlessly with WordPress and WooCommerce. It provides powerful analytics, consent management, and optional single sign on capabilities. Our platform is built on the principles of privacy by design, ensuring that your data practices are compliant with the latest regulations, including <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/understanding-distinction-how-eprivacy-directive-gdpr-christiansen-9dwbc/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="color: #1ab391;">GDPR and the ePrivacy Directive</a>.
<h2>Watch the Full Demo</h2>
Our 15-minute walkthrough video showcases the advanced features and user interface of the AesirX Analytics and AesirX Business Intelligence platform. From monitoring site visitors to implementing advanced event tracking, you’ll see how our platform provides comprehensive insights while upholding stringent privacy standards.
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Navigate through the new user experience view.</li>
<li aria-level="1">See how we analyze user engagement and provide detailed insights.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Understand our robust filtering capabilities and how they lay the groundwork for extensive features.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Discover our advanced analytics dashboard and how it empowers data-driven decisions.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Learn about our seamless integration with WooCommerce and the benefits of deploying our first-party server.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Key Features and USPs</h2>
Data Privacy Compliance: By installing our solution, you establish a trust pact with your visitors, confirming that their data remains undisclosed to third parties. This compliance is aligned with GDPR’s data protection principles and the ePrivacy Directive’s consent requirements.
Seamless Integration: Navigate your store’s analytics within the WooCommerce dashboard, ensuring a cohesive experience for managing e-commerce data in compliance with privacy regulations.
User Experience View: Monitor site visitors and their activities without compromising privacy. Our platform provides detailed insights into user engagement, broken down into various actions.
Advanced Analytics Dashboard: Gain a comprehensive overview of your website’s performance, including events and UTM tracking, empowering you to make data-driven decisions.
Granular Filtering Capabilities: Drill down into specific subpages and user segments, laying the groundwork for advanced features like first-party-based prediction, personalization, and product recommendations.
Event Tracking and Compliance: Implement event tracking easily with our platform, which supports GTM and Consent Mode 2.0, ensuring all tracking activities are compliant with both GDPR and ePD 5.3.
Enhanced Data Points: Using open graph data, we enrich user insights by integrating plugins and customizations, providing a detailed view of the customer journey.
Decentralized Consent Model: Prepare for the future with our decentralized consent model, ensuring robust audit trails and empowering individuals to maintain control over their data, fully compliant with GDPR and ePrivacy Directive.
First-Party Server Deployment: For optimal performance, deploy our first-party server built on Rust and MongoDB, offering a significant performance boost while ensuring data is handled in a privacy-compliant manner.
<img src="https/api.aesirx.io/images/comparison-chart-of-select-analytics-consent-solutions-visual-by-aesirxio.png" alt="comparison chart of select analytics consent solutions visual by aesirxio" width="942" height="391" />
<h2>Explore the Future of Privacy-first Analytics</h2>
With impending changes to Google Analytics and third-party cookies, AesirX First-Party Foundation offers a future-proof alternative.&nbsp;
Ensure exceptional user experiences while upholding the highest standards of privacy and compliance. Our solution is seamlessly compliant with both GDPR and the ePrivacy Directive 5.3 due to its privacy-by-design nature, ensuring that all tracking and data processing activities are transparent, consensual, and respectful of user privacy.
We invite you to explore our demo and provide feedback as we shape the future of privacy-first analytics together. Remember that you now have access to open source technology, so there are no excuses left, you are just 1 click away from seamless compliance, and it's free.
<ul>
<li>To see the full walkthrough, click the link: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEE-vqtcSow" style="color: #1ab391;">Watch the Demo</a></li>
<li>To download, click here: <a href="https://analytics.aesirx.io/" style="color: #1ab391;">AesirX Analytics</a></li>
</ul>
Ronni K. Gothard Christiansen // <a href="https://twitter.com/VikingTechGuy" style="color: #1ab391;">VikingTechGuy</a>&nbsp;
Creator, AesirX.io
Join our community and catch up with all the latest information and news on Telegram <a href="https://t.me/aesirx_official_community"></a><a href="https://t.me/aesirx_official_community" style="color: #1ab391;">https://t.me/aesirx_official_community</a>&nbsp;
<h3>What is happening?</h3>
<img src="https/api.aesirx.io/images/https/api.aesirx.io/images/the-curent-landscape-of-privacy-and-data-regulations.png" alt="the curent landscape of privacy and data regulations" width="1437" height="803" />
<h3>What does it mean?</h3>
<img src="https/api.aesirx.io/images/https/api.aesirx.io/images/implications-for-marketing-and-ecommerce.png" alt="implications for marketing and ecommerce" width="1488" height="825" />
<h3>Example of ePD 5.3 compliance issue with a common provider:</h3>
<img src="https/api.aesirx.io/images/https/api.aesirx.io/images/example-of-epd-53-compliance-issue-with-a-common-provider.png" alt="example of epd 53 compliance issue with a common provider" width="2176" height="1104" />
<h3>Where can I find Guidelines 02/2023?</h3>
<a href="https://www.edpb.europa.eu/our-work-tools/documents/public-consultations/2023/guidelines-22023-technical-scope-art-53-eprivacy_en" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="color: #1ab391;">Click here</a>
About the AesirX Privacy Scanner:&nbsp;
The <a href="https://privacyscanner.aesirx.io" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="color: #1ab391;">AesirX Privacy Scanner</a> is a powerful tool designed to ensure that websites comply with the stringent requirements of the ePrivacy Directive and GDPR. Using the EU's <a href="https://www.edps.europa.eu/edps-inspection-software_en" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="color: #1ab391;">EDPS (European Data Protection Supervisor) Inspection Tool</a>, the AesirX Privacy Scanner conducts thorough scans of websites to identify non-compliant elements, including cookies, trackers, and beacons.&nbsp;
AesirX also offers a free <a href="https://aesirx.io/privacy-advisor-ai" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="color: #1ab391;">Privacy Advisor AI</a> Assistant that helps to explain the scanned results from the EDPS Inspection Tool and offers concrete recommendations on what is needed to resolve compliance issues found in the scan result.&nbsp;
By leveraging these tools, businesses can receive detailed reports and actionable insights to rectify compliance issues and avoid potential fines.

Introducing AesirX First-Party Foundation: Transforming Analytics and Compliance for WordPress and WooCommerce

AesirX leads in digital privacy, pioneering solutions that ensure compliance while maintaining user experience quality

Transforming Analytics and Compliance for WordPress and WooCommerce

In the past week, politicians across the EU, particularly in Denmark, have focused on how to protect children on social media against bad algorithms, bad actors, and getting access to social media too early. The Danish media has also been heavily involved in highlighting the abuse and scams prevalent on social media that exploit brands and familiar faces.
Politicians like Danish MP Mette Frederiksen and the Social Democratic Party <a href="https://www.facebook.com/socialdemokratiet/posts/pfbid034K2U9mLxMGhCvt7GQ8nMmF2hh848S1esUFSRCpdWTKntL1frBJMe6Zsr16SrqQKnl" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #1ab391;">launched a campaign yesterday</a> as part of the EU election, emphasizing the urgent need to protect children from digital abuse from BigTech, and to prevent those below 13 or 15 from accessing social media platforms. The proposal also includes a ban on advertising towards children, meaning BigTech cannot show them ads. While some experts argue that such protective infrastructure does not exist, they are mistaken.
<img src="https/api.aesirx.io/images/https/api.aesirx.io/images/visual-from-socialdemokratiets-campaign-on-facebook.png" alt="visual from socialdemokratiets campaign on facebook" width="563" height="706" />
Last year, we released <a href="https://sso.aesirx.io" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #1ab391;">AesirX Single Sign On</a>, a revolutionary solution that can address these concerns effectively. One of its key features is integrating with MitID to create a secure ID and wallet on Concordium. By using this to set up your Shield of Privacy with AesirX, you can make an anonymization layer that ensures your online activities (or those of your children aged 13+) are protected.
<h2 id="ember67" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__heading-2">How It Works</h2>
When users sign up for any website, e-commerce platform, app, or dApp, their MitID is indirectly used in a zero-knowledge proof to verify they are at least 13 years old. This process can also verify if someone is 18 or 21, depending on local laws, for online shopping, adult sites, gambling sites, and other age-restricted platforms. Additionally, it helps ensure that children do not receive targeted advertisements.
<h2 id="ember70" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__heading-2">Practical Implementation</h2>
As an example, we have set up an AirDrop that requires indirect proof that participants are 18 years or older and do not reside in specific countries. Danish citizens aged 18 or older can visit <a href="http://airdrop.aesirx.io" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #1ab391;">airdrop.aesirx.io</a> to sign up for a Concordium ID+Wallet using their MitID. This allows them to complete the AirDrop process and experience the technology in action, showcasing how indirect zero-knowledge proofs lead to cross-border compliant security, based on Verified ID.
<h2 id="ember73" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__heading-2">Easy Integration</h2>
AesirX Single Sign On is easy to install with just one click for WordPress and Joomla! This means that more than 50% of all websites, e-commerce solutions, apps, and dApps can quickly enable this technology. You can also connect your social media accounts and use the same Verified ID to post via the AesirX Creator Marketing Tool, enabling ID Verified Social Media Posting where all your readers can see that it's a genuine post, including on-chain verification.
<h2 id="ember76" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__heading-2">Current and Future Expansion</h2>
Only the MitID for Denmark and the eID for Finland (FTN) are currently supported. However, in partnership with Concordium, AesirX is working to support more eIDs to ensure that everyone can access technology that protects children online. The EU has announced that the coming EU eID will be launched by 2026, and the US is also working towards digital ID at the federal level.
<h2 id="ember76" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__heading-2">The Importance of Verified ID</h2>
Verified IDs help trace bad actors on social media or instant messaging. Through local legal processes, the eID of an individual can be "unlocked," allowing authorities to identify and take action against these individuals. This capability alone can have a significant preemptive effect on potential abusers. Using a Verified ID as a means of verification for the author of a content post on social media leads to fewer scams, fakes, and frauds. For instance, if Danish TV2 started using our Verified ID Social Media Posting Tool, users would be able to distinguish them from scammers. It would also mean that Meta could automatically prevent anyone from posting ads that infringe on another company's trademark, as the Verified ID process for all advertisers would block the majority of organized criminals working in this industry.
<h2 id="ember76" class="ember-view reader-content-blocks__heading-2">What Are You Waiting For?</h2>
The technology to protect children online is available today through AesirX Single Sign On. By leveraging secure, privacy-focused solutions, we can create safer online environments for our children and ensure that bad actors can be held accountable while enabling checks of both age and country, without disclosure of personal information, by using indirect zero-knowledge proofs linked to the national eID.
Every country on the planet is developing eIDs and Digital Wallets to help protect their citizens, but there is also a need to protect the eID itself. This is where AesirX Shield of Privacy plays a role as an anonymization layer that protects your wallet or your eID as the foreign ID websites and apps interact with, instead of your personal information.
Are you ready to make the internet more secure and authentic? <a href="https://shield.aesirx.io" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #1ab391;">Sign up for AesirX Shield of Privacy</a> today and join a community dedicated to digital trust and privacy. It's time to turn the tide in how we interact online, and you can start right here.
Ronni K. Gothard Christiansen // <a href="https://twitter.com/VikingTechGuy" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #1ab391;">VikingTechGuy</a> 
Creator, <a href="http://aesirx.io" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="app-aware-link" style="color: #1ab391;">AesirX.io</a> 
Join our community and catch up with all the latest information and news on Telegram <a href="https://t.me/aesirx_official_community" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="color: #1ab391;">https://t.me/aesirx_official_community</a>

Protecting Children Online: The Future is Here

EU politicians, especially Denmark, tackle child protection on social media. Concerns focus on bad algorithms, harmful actors, and early access

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