AEPD intensifies website cookie oversight using AI

The Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD) has intensified its oversight of digital tracking by deploying Artificial Intelligence to conduct mass audits of websites. Using AI with a precision rate exceeding 96%, the agency aims to identify the significant gap between current legislation and the technical implementation of cookie consent on corporate websites.

The AEPD emphasized that data protection must go beyond superficial banners. Key requirements for businesses include ensuring 100% active consent—meaning pre-checked boxes are illegal—and making it as easy to deny cookies as it is to accept them. Additionally, companies are held responsible for the tracking performed by third-party plugins or free tools integrated into their sites.