A Consent Management Platform (CMP) is a digital tool that helps companies to obtain, manage, and document users' consents for the processing of their personal data in accordance with the law. Especially in the context of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Telecommunications-Telemedia Data Protection Act (TTDSG), a CMP plays a central role, particularly when cookies and similar technologies are used on websites.
When a website is visited for the first time, a so-called cookie banner, provided by the CMP, usually appears. Users can decide there whether and to what extent they agree to the use of certain data processing activities – for marketing, analytics, or personalization purposes. The CMP stores these decisions and ensures that only the selected services are loaded. Additionally, it allows users to change or withdraw their consent at any time.
CMPs serve not only a technical function but also have legal significance: They help website operators fulfill their obligation to provide evidence to supervisory authorities. Furthermore, many CMPs offer detailed reports and logs that document when, how, and by whom a consent was granted or denied.
CMPs can be configured individually for a website and are usually easy to integrate into content management systems or e-commerce systems. Well-known providers of such platforms include Usercentrics, OneTrust, Cookiebot, or Consentmanager.
Overall, a CMP is an indispensable tool for any data protection-compliant online offering. It creates transparency for users, strengthens trust in the brand, and protects companies from legal consequences due to erroneous or missing consent processes.