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IAB TCF

The Transparency and Consent Framework (TCF) was conceived to facilitate compliance with the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and ePrivacy Directive (ePD) for all stakeholders involved in digital advertising and targeted content delivery. It addresses the processing, access, and storage of personal information on users' devices.

Developed collaboratively by IAB Europe, digital advertising organizations, and industry experts, the TCF made its debut on April 25, 2018. Its primary objective is to establish a mechanism for users to convey their consent preferences to vendors operating within publishers' ecosystems through Consent Management Platforms (CMPs). CMPs serve as centralized hubs for managing user consent and objections transparently.

At its core, the TCF places users in the spotlight, prioritizing their rights to data transparency and control. By offering users insight into how their data is utilized and affording them the authority to determine its usage when consent is granted, the TCF aims to empower individuals in the realm of data privacy.

How does it work?​

At its core, the TCF revolves around Consent Management Platforms (CMPs) integrated into publishers' websites. These CMPs serve as the initial point of contact between users and the digital ecosystem.

When a user visits a website, the CMP presents a transparent and user-friendly interface that informs them about the data processing activities taking place. This includes details about the purposes, vendors involved, and types of data collected.

Users are given the option to provide or withhold their consent for data processing. They can choose to allow or deny specific purposes, such as personalized ads or analytics.

If a user consents to data processing, the CMP generates consent signals, which are standardized messages encoding the user's preferences. These signals contain information about the user's consent choices, specifying which vendors can process their data and for what purposes.

Publishers and vendors in the digital ecosystem integrate the TCF framework into their systems. Vendors receive consent signals from CMPs, allowing them to determine whether they have user consent to process data for specific purposes.

Users maintain ongoing transparency and control over their data. They can revisit their consent choices at any time through the CMP's interface, allowing them to modify or withdraw their consent.

The Global Vendor List (GVL)​

The Global Vendor List (GVL) is a central repository of information about vendors in the digital advertising and content delivery ecosystem. It plays a pivotal role in the TCF by standardizing consent signals, enhancing transparency, and facilitating compliance with data protection regulations. Users, publishers, and vendors benefit from the GVL's standardized approach to managing consent and data processing preferences.

CookieHub & IAB TCF​

CookieHub is a registered Consent Management Platform (CMP) with the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) and has undergone the necessary compliance checks to ensure its alignment with the Transparency and Consent Framework (TCF).

When users visit websites and online services that utilize CookieHub, they encounter a consent dialog that provides essential information about vendors and data processing purposes. This dialogue empowers users to make informed decisions regarding the data processing activities they wish to consent to or deny, such as personalized advertising or analytics. As users interact with the consent dialog, their preferences are recorded and translated into standardized signals following TCF guidelines. These signals are then communicated to the respective vendors, notifying them of the user's consent choices and enabling them to adjust their data processing practices accordingly.

CookieHub's consent management process is designed to enhance transparency. Users have access to clear and concise information about vendors and data processing purposes, fostering an environment where informed consent is prioritized.