Thoughts on Blocking Cookie Consent Banners on Mobile

I recently came across a discussion about the never-ending battle against cookie consent banners. It seems many people are reaching their breaking point, tired of manually rejecting cookies on every website they visit. This got me thinking about the best strategies for tackling this issue on mobile devices, especially since screen real estate is limited, and those banners can be particularly intrusive.

Let’s explore some solutions for a cleaner, less irritating mobile browsing experience.

The Cookie Consent Problem

Cookie consent banners are a legal requirement in many regions, designed to give users control over their data. However, the implementation is often far from ideal. Many websites use dark patterns to nudge users towards accepting all cookies, making the process of opting out tedious and time-consuming. This leads to “consent fatigue,” where users simply click “Accept All” to get the banner out of the way, defeating the purpose of the regulation.

On mobile, this problem is amplified. The smaller screen size means the banners often take up a significant portion of the display, obscuring content and disrupting the user experience. This makes finding effective solutions even more critical.

Approaches to Blocking Cookie Consent Banners

Several approaches can be used to block or automatically dismiss cookie consent banners. Each has its own pros and cons, and the best solution will depend on your specific needs and preferences.

1. Aggressive Ad Blocking

Many ad blockers include filters specifically designed to block cookie consent banners. These filters work by identifying and hiding the elements on the page that display the banner. While this approach can be effective, it may also block other legitimate content or functionality on the website. Additionally, some websites are becoming more sophisticated in their implementation of cookie banners, making them harder to detect and block.

2. Custom User Scripts

User scripts, such as those that can be used with the Tampermonkey browser extension, offer a more targeted approach. These scripts can be written to automatically click the “Reject All” or “Accept Necessary” buttons on cookie consent banners, effectively dismissing them without blocking other content. However, this approach requires some technical knowledge to set up and maintain, as the scripts may need to be updated as websites change their banner implementations.

3. Browser Extensions

Several browser extensions are specifically designed to manage cookie consent banners. These extensions often use a combination of filter lists and user scripts to automatically dismiss banners or provide a simplified interface for managing cookie preferences. They can be a good option for users who want a more user-friendly solution than writing their own user scripts.

4. DNS-Based Blocking with Customized Blocklists

DNS-based ad blocking can indirectly help with cookie consent banners, but it's not a direct solution. By blocking the scripts and domains that load tracking cookies, you can prevent some banners from appearing in the first place. However, many websites serve cookie consent banners even without third-party trackers, so this approach is only partially effective. Still, combining DNS-based blocking with other methods can create a more comprehensive solution.

Evaluating Specific Solutions Mentioned

The person in the discussion I saw mentioned Open Adblocker, AdGuard, and Ghostery. Let's consider each of these in the context of blocking cookie consent banners on mobile.

Open Adblocker

I haven't personally used Open Adblocker, and information about its mobile capabilities seems limited. It might be a viable option, but I'd recommend researching its specific features for cookie consent management before committing.

AdGuard

AdGuard is a well-known ad blocker with both app-based and DNS-based solutions. Its browser extensions and apps often include filters specifically designed to block cookie consent banners. AdGuard DNS, while not directly blocking banners, can help by blocking tracking scripts that trigger them.

Pros:

• Comprehensive ad blocking, including cookie consent banners
• Available as an app and browser extension
• DNS-based option for system-wide protection

Cons:

• Can be resource-intensive on some devices
• Some features require a paid subscription

My Take: AdGuard is a solid choice for blocking ads and cookie consent banners on mobile. The combination of app-based and DNS-based solutions provides flexibility and comprehensive protection.

Ghostery

Ghostery is another popular privacy-focused browser extension and app. It blocks trackers, ads, and cookie consent banners. Ghostery emphasizes privacy and provides detailed information about the trackers it blocks.

Pros:

• Strong focus on privacy
• Blocks a wide range of trackers and ads
• Includes cookie consent banner blocking

Cons:

• Can sometimes break website functionality
• May require some configuration to optimize performance

My Take: Ghostery is a good option for users who prioritize privacy and want a comprehensive solution for blocking trackers and cookie consent banners. Be prepared to tweak the settings to avoid breaking websites.

My Recommendations for Mobile

Given the challenges of managing cookie consent banners on mobile devices, here are my recommendations:

DNS-Based with Custom Blocklists (Advanced Users)

For Android users (Android 9+), you can use Private DNS and a service like NextDNS. Configure NextDNS with aggressive ad blocking lists and custom filters to block cookie consent banners. This approach works system-wide and doesn't require installing an app.

Pros:

• System-wide protection
• Customizable blocklists
• No app installation required (on Android 9+)

Cons:

• Requires some technical knowledge to set up
• May block legitimate content

Browser Extension (Safari and Other Browsers)

For iOS users, using a browser extension in Safari is often the best option. AdGuard for Safari or 1Blocker are good choices. These extensions can block cookie consent banners and other unwanted content within the browser.

Pros:

• Easy to install and use
• Customizable rules
• Good performance

Cons:

• Only works within the browser
• May require some configuration

Local VPN App (Android)

On Android, a local VPN app like Blokada can be effective. Blokada blocks ads and trackers system-wide using a local VPN. You can customize the blocklists to block cookie consent banners.

Pros:

• System-wide protection
• Highly customizable
• Open source

Cons:

• Can impact battery life
• May require some configuration

Considerations for Choosing a Solution

When choosing a solution for blocking cookie consent banners on mobile, consider the following factors:

Ease of Use

How easy is the solution to set up and use? If you're not technically inclined, choose a solution that is user-friendly and requires minimal configuration.

Performance

How does the solution impact your device's performance? Some ad blockers and VPN apps can be resource-intensive and drain battery life. Choose a solution that is optimized for mobile devices.

Customization

How customizable is the solution? If you want more control over what is blocked, choose a solution that allows you to customize the blocklists and rules.

Privacy

How does the solution protect your privacy? Some ad blockers and VPN apps may collect data about your browsing activity. Choose a solution that is privacy-focused and transparent about its data collection practices.

The Importance of Regular Updates

Websites are constantly evolving, and cookie consent banners are no exception. To stay ahead of the curve, it's important to choose a solution that is regularly updated with the latest filter lists and rules. This will ensure that you continue to block cookie consent banners effectively as websites change their implementations.

What About "I Don't Care About Cookies"?

I’ve seen the “I don’t care about cookies” extension mentioned. It's a browser extension designed to automatically accept or reject cookie consent banners based on a predefined set of rules. While it can be effective in some cases, it's not a perfect solution. It may not work on all websites, and it may accept cookies that you would prefer to reject. Additionally, some websites are starting to detect and block the extension.

It's worth trying, but don't rely on it as your only solution.

Setting Up Your Chosen Solution

Once you've picked a solution, here's how to get started:

For DNS-Based Blocking (Android):

1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Private DNS.
2. Select "Private DNS provider hostname."
3. Enter the hostname of your chosen DNS provider (e.g., us.adhole.org for AdAway, or the NextDNS custom address).
4. Done!

For Browser Extensions (iOS/Android):

1. Open your chosen browser (e.g., Safari, Chrome, Firefox).
2. Search for the extension in the browser's extension store (e.g., Safari Extensions, Chrome Web Store).
3. Install the extension.
4. Configure the extension according to your preferences.
5. Done!

For Local VPN Apps (Android):

1. Download and install the app from the Google Play Store or F-Droid.
2. Open the app and follow the setup instructions.
3. Configure the app according to your preferences.
4. Enable the VPN.
5. Done!

The Balancing Act

Ultimately, blocking cookie consent banners is a balancing act between convenience and privacy. While it's tempting to block all banners and forget about them, it's important to be aware of the potential trade-offs. Some websites may require cookies to function properly, and blocking all cookies may break certain features.

It's also important to be mindful of your privacy. Some ad blockers and VPN apps may collect data about your browsing activity. Choose a solution that is privacy-focused and transparent about its data collection practices.

By carefully considering your needs and preferences, you can find a solution that effectively blocks cookie consent banners without compromising your privacy or breaking websites.

The best approach is often a multi-layered one. Combining DNS-based blocking with a browser extension or local VPN app can provide comprehensive protection against ads, trackers, and cookie consent banners. Experiment with different solutions and find what works best for you.

Remember, the goal is to create a cleaner, less irritating mobile browsing experience without sacrificing your privacy or breaking the websites you visit.