Petition · Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Protect Online Privacy – Ban Charging Users to Reject Tracking Cookies

Closed 593 signatures

What the petition asks

Make it illegal for websites to charge users for rejecting tracking cookies. Businesses should not exploit consent by forcing users to choose between paying or having their data tracked.
We feel the rise of cookie paywalls undermines genuine consent, pressuring users into accepting invasive tracking to avoid payment. Data privacy should not come at a financial cost. People accessing information should not be penalised for protecting their personal data. Other models, such as exclusive content or website memberships, should be considered for generating revenue. If users do pay reject tracking cookies, we feel there is no guarantee that tracking cookies will not be used.

Timeline

19 Dec 2025 Petition opened for signatures
19 Jun 2026 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 593
Status Closed
Department Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Opened 19 Dec 2025
Closed 19 Jun 2026

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 3 Aug 2026.