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TCF Versions

As of November 20th, 2023, TCF Version 2.1 will be deprecated, and users are required to transition to TCF Version 2.2. This transition ensures continued compliance with evolving data protection laws and benefits from the latest enhancements and verification measures introduced in TCF 2.2. Website owners and digital advertising professionals are encouraged to update their implementations accordingly to align with the most current TCF version.

TCF 1.0​

TCF 1.0 marked the initial launch of the framework, aimed at facilitating compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and ePrivacy Directive (ePD) for online advertising. Key features included:

Key Features:

  • Basic Consent: TCF 1.0 offered basic user consent for personalized ads, providing limited transparency and control.
  • Global Vendor List (GVL): It introduced a GVL containing vendor information, although with fewer details compared to later versions.
  • Initial Industry Effort: TCF 1.0 represented an initial industry-wide effort to address GDPR and ePD requirements.

TCF 2.0​

TCF 2.0 was introduced as a significant enhancement to the initial TCF version, aiming to provide more transparency and control to users regarding their consent choices in the context of digital advertising.

Key Features:

  • Enhanced Transparency: TCF 2.0 emphasized increased transparency by providing users with detailed information about data processing purposes, vendors, and their purposes.
  • Granular Consent: Users had more granular control over their consent choices, allowing them to selectively opt in or out of specific data processing purposes.
  • Global Vendor List (GVL): TCF 2.0 introduced a centralized Global Vendor List (GVL) that contained comprehensive information about registered vendors and their purposes, simplifying vendor management for website owners.

TCF 2.1​

TCF 2.1 builds upon the foundation of TCF 2.0 and further refines the framework based on industry feedback and evolving regulatory requirements.

Key Features:

  • Improved Accessibility: TCF 2.1 places a greater emphasis on accessibility, making it more inclusive for users with disabilities.
  • Enhanced Mobile App Support: Building on the mobile app support introduced in TCF 2.0, TCF 2.1 offers more robust tools for managing user consent within mobile applications.
  • Enhanced Compliance Measures: TCF 2.1 introduces additional compliance checks and requirements to ensure that vendors adhere to transparency and user consent standards.

TCF 2.2​

TCF 2.2 represents the latest iteration of the framework, incorporating refinements and updates to address emerging privacy concerns and regulatory developments.

Key Features:

  • Stringent Vendor Verification: TCF 2.2 introduces enhanced verification measures for vendors, ensuring that only compliant vendors can participate in the framework.
  • Adherence to Evolving Regulations: TCF 2.2 is designed to align with the latest regulatory developments, enabling website owners to stay compliant with evolving data protection laws.

Each version of the TCF builds upon the previous one, incorporating feedback and addressing emerging privacy challenges. Website owners and digital advertising professionals can choose the version that best suits their needs while maintaining a focus on user transparency and consent management.