Europe3
The GDPR sets the global standard for data protection, requiring explicit opt-in consent before processing personal data of EU/EEA residents. For websites, non-essential cookies must be blocked until visitors actively consent. Pre-ticked boxes and implied consent are invalid.
Article 5(3) of the ePrivacy Directive is the primary EU legal basis requiring cookie consent. It mandates prior informed consent before storing or accessing any information on a user's device, with narrow exceptions only for transmission necessity and explicitly requested services.
Lithuania implements the ePrivacy Directive through the Law on Electronic Communications. Cookie-specific penalties under national law are notably low (EUR 150-1,150), though GDPR fines apply when personal data is involved. The VDAI has published recommendations with samples of correct and incorrect consent practices.