Global Privacy Control: What You Need to Know?

Learn about Global Privacy Control and its role in enhancing privacy rights and compliance with global regulations like GDPR and CCPA/CPRA.

Global Privacy Control (GPC) is quickly becoming an essential tool in the ever-evolving world of online privacy. With consumers becoming more aware of how their personal data is collected, shared, and sold, GPC offers a straightforward way for individuals to reclaim control over their digital footprint.

By sending privacy preferences directly from web browsers, GPC signals websites to refrain from selling or sharing personal information—bringing clarity and ease to user privacy.

As a website owner, it’s crucial to understand the role of GPC—not just to comply with privacy laws but also to build trust with your audience in an increasingly privacy-focused environment.

In this blog, we’ll dive into the functionality of GPC, its legal implications, and what you need to know to ensure your website is prepared for this new era of data privacy.

Let’s get started.

Global Privacy Control (GPC) is a browser-based signal designed to help users communicate their privacy preferences to websites. It acts as a digital “Do Not Track” request, instructing websites not to sell or share the user’s personal data. Unlike older initiatives like the “Do Not Track” header, GPC is legally enforceable in certain jurisdictions, such as under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).

One of the most significant advantages of GPC is its simplicity. Users don’t have to navigate complex opt-out processes on individual websites. Instead, the GPC signal works in the background, streamlining the process for both users and businesses. As a website owner, implementing GPC compliance demonstrates your commitment to user privacy and ensures you stay ahead of evolving privacy standards.

The concept of Global Privacy Control (GPC) was born out of the need to address long-standing challenges in online privacy. Its roots can be traced back to earlier initiatives like the “Do Not Track” (DNT) standard, which aimed to give users a way to signal their privacy preferences to websites. However, DNT failed to gain traction due to its voluntary nature—most websites ignored the signals because compliance wasn’t legally mandated.

Recognizing the shortcomings of DNT and the growing demand for stronger privacy measures, GPC was introduced in October 2020 by a coalition of privacy advocates, researchers, and technology companies. Key players like the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and Brave browser helped shape GPC as a tool with legal weight, unlike its predecessors.

GPC was designed to align with global privacy laws, such as the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), ensuring that businesses are obligated to respect it where such laws apply.

Early Adoption of GPC

The early adoption of GPC was supported by privacy-focused browsers and extensions like DuckDuckGo and Brave, along with major publishers and organizations. These early adopters recognized the potential of GPC to simplify user privacy controls and create a more transparent online experience.

One of the pivotal moments in GPC’s history was its integration into the CCPA. California’s Attorney General clarified that businesses subject to the CCPA must honor GPC signals as valid opt-out requests for the sale of personal data. This move marked a significant shift, making GPC not just a technical specification but a legally enforceable mechanism in jurisdictions like California.

Since its introduction, GPC has gained momentum as more companies, browsers, and legal frameworks have embraced it. While still in its growth phase, GPC represents a significant step in bridging the gap between user intent and business compliance. As it evolves, GPC has the potential to become a global standard, driving the future of online privacy.

At first glance, Global Privacy Control (GPC) and Do Not Track (DNT) may seem similar—they both aim to give users control over their online privacy. However, they differ significantly in how they work and the impact they have on websites and users.

Category	Global Privacy Control (GPC)	Do Not Track (DNT)
Enforceability	GPC is legally enforceable in jurisdictions like California under the CCPA. Websites must honor GPC signals as valid opt-out requests for data sales or sharing.	DNT was a voluntary system. Websites could ignore DNT signals as there were no legal obligations to comply, leading to its failure as a privacy standard.
Design and Implementation	GPC aligns with modern privacy laws and works as a technical signal sent from browsers or extensions. It specifically focuses on opting out of data sales and sharing.	DNT functioned as a browser request header asking websites not to track users. However, it lacked clear definitions of “tracking” and compliance methods, leading to inconsistent implementation.
Support and Adoption	GPC is supported by privacy-focused browsers like Brave and DuckDuckGo and is recognized by laws like the CCPA. It is actively backed by privacy advocates working to establish it as a global standard.	Despite initial support from major browsers, DNT lost traction due to its non-binding nature and a lack of consensus. Over time, browsers stopped emphasizing DNT as a privacy feature.
User Experience	GPC simplifies privacy control by automatically sending the signal to all visited websites, reducing the need for users to manage preferences individually.	DNT provided limited visibility and control over how websites responded. The lack of accountability left users uncertain if their privacy preferences were respected.
Privacy Goals	GPC is specifically designed to prevent the sale or sharing of personal data, aligning with legal requirements like the CCPA.	DNT aimed to prevent all forms of tracking, but its vague definitions and lack of enforcement made it ineffective.

Global Privacy Control (GPC) has emerged as a practical tool to help websites and businesses comply with modern privacy laws. Its design aligns seamlessly with legal frameworks focused on protecting user data, ensuring businesses can meet regulatory requirements while giving users greater control over their personal information.

Here’s how GPC interacts with key privacy laws:

1. California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA)

Under the CCPA and its amendment, the CPRA, businesses must honor user requests to opt out of the sale or sharing of their personal data. The California Attorney General explicitly recognizes GPC signals as valid opt-out requests under these laws.

If a website receives a GPC signal, it must:

• Cease selling or sharing personal data for that user.
• Acknowledge the signal as equivalent to a manually submitted opt-out request.

GPC simplifies compliance by automating the opt-out process for users, reducing the burden on users and businesses.

2. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union

While GPC isn’t explicitly mentioned in the GDPR, its principles align closely with the regulation’s focus on data protection and user consent. Under GDPR:

Users must have the right to control their data. Websites must respect user preferences, including the withdrawal of consent for data processing.

Implementing GPC can enhance a website’s GDPR compliance by:

• Demonstrating respect for user privacy preferences.
• Supporting mechanisms that fulfill user rights, such as the right to object to data processing.

3. Other State-Level Privacy Laws in the U.S.

Examples: Colorado Privacy Act (CPA), Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (VCDPA), and Connecticut’s Data Privacy Act.

These laws also emphasize user rights, such as opting out of data sales or targeted advertising. Although they don’t explicitly mandate GPC, adopting it can ensure compliance by honoring user privacy preferences universally.

Using GPC provides a scalable solution for addressing user opt-out requests, especially as more states introduce privacy laws.

4. International Privacy Laws Beyond GDPR

Examples: Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), Brazil’s General Data Protection Law (LGPD), and Australia’s Privacy Act.

Many international laws emphasize user consent and data protection. While GPC may not be explicitly required, implementing it:

• Signals your commitment to global privacy standards.
• Helps address opt-out or consent withdrawal requirements in a user-friendly way.

To implement GPC compliance for your WordPress website, you’ll need a cookie consent plugin that supports Global Privacy Control.

Follow the below steps to implement GPC compliance for your website.

Step 1: Install WebToffee GDPR Cookie Consent Plugin

Install and activate the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin on your WordPress website. This plugin lets you deploy a cookie banner complying with GDPR or US State privacy laws. You can configure this plugin to respect the Global Privacy Control (GPC) signal.

Step 2: Configure the Cookie Banner for Global Privacy Control

After installing the plugin, go to Cookie Consent > Cookie banner settings page.

• Choose US State Laws as the applicable consent law.
• Make sure the Enable cookie banner option is activated. This ensures that a cookie consent banner appears on your website, informing users about cookies and privacy settings.

• Choose whether the cookie banner should be displayed globally (Worldwide) or only to users in the United States.
• Click on Show advanced settings to reveal additional configuration options for respecting privacy signals and customizing cookie banner behavior.
• Enable the option labeled Respect Do Not Track & Global Privacy Control to ensure your website acknowledges these privacy signals. This helps you comply with privacy regulations like CCPA.
• Add URLs under the Hide cookie banner on selected pages if you want to exclude certain pages, such as your cookie policy page (e.g., https://www.eshoppe.com/cookie-policy).
• Specify how long the user’s consent will remain valid. For example, set the Duration of consent to 365 days to keep the user’s preferences for a year.
• Enable the Reload page upon user consent option to ensure the website refreshes after the user provides consent, applying their preferences immediately.
• Use the provided HTML code snippet under Do not sell link to create a clickable link on your website footer. This allows users to opt out of data sales in compliance with privacy laws like CCPA.
• Click on Update settings.

Here is a preview of the CCPA/CPRA-compliant cookie banner in WordPress:

Global Privacy Control (GPC) is a pivotal tool in the rapidly evolving landscape of online privacy. By enabling users to easily communicate their privacy preferences, it offers a legally enforceable and streamlined solution to manage data consent.

For website owners, implementing GPC compliance is not just about meeting legal requirements under regulations like the CCPA and GDPR—it’s about fostering trust and transparency with your audience.

As privacy laws continue to expand and evolve, adopting GPC ensures your website remains ahead of the curve. It simplifies compliance, demonstrates your commitment to respecting user data, and positions your business as a privacy-conscious leader in the digital age.

By taking proactive steps to implement GPC and other privacy-friendly practices, you not only safeguard your business against legal risks but also build stronger, more trusting relationships with your users.

The era of online privacy is here, and GPC is a key component in navigating this new landscape. Now is the time to take action! Integrate GPC compliance into your website and set the standard for a privacy-conscious digital experience.