When browsing the web or managing a website, you may come across a cookie named cookie_consent_v1. This is a standard functional cookie used to manage user privacy and ensure a website follows data protection laws. As you may know we love cookies and covering what first party and third party cookies are along with holding one of the worlds largest databases of cookies that help make our consent management platform the most robust.
What is the cookie_consent_v1 Cookie?
The cookie_consent_v1 cookie is a strictly necessary and on a smaller percentage of sites we’ve seen it classified as a functional cookie (though this would be incorrect). Its primary job is to remember whether a visitor has seen, accepted, or declined the cookie consent banner (the pop-up that appears when you first visit a site).
The “v1” in the name typically refers to the version of the consent logic or the specific software version being used by the website’s Consent Management Platform (CMP).
Key Characteristics
-
Type: First-party cookie (usually set by the website you are visiting).
-
Category: Necessary / Functional.
-
Persistence: It is typically a persistent cookie, meaning it stays on your device for a set period (often 6 months to 1 year) so the website does not ask for your consent every single time you click a new page.
Why is it used?
The main reason for this cookie is legal compliance. Laws such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) in the United States require websites to get permission before tracking users.
-
Memory: It stores your preference (e.g., “Accepted all” or “Only essential”).
-
User Experience: It prevents the annoying consent banner from popping up on every single page load.
-
Audit Trail: It helps the website owner prove that they have obtained consent from their users, which is a requirement for data privacy audits.
Does it track your personal information?
Generally, no. The cookie_consent_v1 cookie is designed to be anonymous. It typically contains simple values like:
-
trueorfalse -
A timestamp of when you clicked the button
-
A string of letters and numbers representing the specific categories of cookies you allowed (e.g., “analytics:yes, marketing:no”)
It does not usually store your name, email address, or browsing history outside of that specific website.
Can you delete it?
Yes, you can delete this cookie at any time through your browser settings. However, keep in mind that if you delete it, the website will treat you as a “new visitor” the next time you arrive and will show you the cookie consent banner again.
If you are looking for a consent management platform that is comprehensive and deals with GDPR and US privacy compliance requirements then book a demo with a privacy expert from Captain Compliance below.
