Does the _gtmeec cookie need consent?

In the EU and the UK, yes. _gtmeec is a marketing cookie and needs consent before it is set under the GDPR, the ePrivacy rules and PECR. Under the CCPA and CPRA, visitors can opt out of its use for cross-context behavioural advertising.

How long does the _gtmeec cookie last?

_gtmeec usually lasts 3 months. The exact lifetime depends on the site's settings and the version of the script that sets it.

Who sets the _gtmeec cookie?

_gtmeec is set by Stape, from Google LLC. It is in the Marketing category.

How do I block or delete the _gtmeec cookie?

Visitors can delete _gtmeec in their browser's cookie settings. On your own website, a consent banner can keep the script that sets it waiting until the visitor accepts marketing cookies. Kukie.io's banner does this for known trackers by default, and for any other script you tag with its category.

Marketing

_gtmeec cookie

Set by Stape.

What it does

Used by Meta to store user data for reuse, enabling more efficient and accurate tracking and targeting.

Cookie name: _gtmeec
Category: Marketing
Provider: Stape
Vendor: Google LLC
Duration: 3 months
Data source: Open Cookie Database (opens in a new tab)

Consent

Needed in the EU and the UK

_gtmeec is in the Marketing category. In the EU and the UK, it needs the visitor's consent before it is set. Under California's CCPA, visitors can opt out of the sale or sharing of their personal information, including for cross-context behavioural advertising.

GDPR and ePrivacy (EU): Prior consent is needed before setting _gtmeec. Advertising and tracking cookies are never covered by the strictly necessary exemption.
UK GDPR and PECR: Consent is needed before setting _gtmeec.
CCPA and CPRA (California): Setting _gtmeec for cross-context behavioural advertising counts as sharing personal information: offer a "Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information" opt-out and honour the Global Privacy Control signal.

Managing _gtmeec with a consent banner

A consent banner can keep the script that sets _gtmeec waiting until the visitor accepts marketing cookies. Kukie.io's cookie scanner finds _gtmeec and sorts it into a category. The banner holds back known trackers by default, and any other script you tag with its category waits too.

Learn more about script blocking

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