Does the topicsLastReferenceTime cookie need consent?

In the EU and the UK, yes. topicsLastReferenceTime 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.

Who sets the topicsLastReferenceTime cookie?

topicsLastReferenceTime is set by Meta Pixel, from Meta Platforms. It is in the Marketing category.

How do I block or delete the topicsLastReferenceTime cookie?

Visitors can delete topicsLastReferenceTime 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

topicsLastReferenceTime cookie

Set by Meta Pixel.

What it does

Used by Meta Pixel to remember the last time it checked browser topics for personalized advertising.

Cookie name: topicsLastReferenceTime
Category: Marketing
Provider: Meta Pixel
Vendor: Meta Platforms

Consent

Needed in the EU and the UK

topicsLastReferenceTime 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 topicsLastReferenceTime. Advertising and tracking cookies are never covered by the strictly necessary exemption.
UK GDPR and PECR: Consent is needed before setting topicsLastReferenceTime.
CCPA and CPRA (California): Setting topicsLastReferenceTime 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 topicsLastReferenceTime with a consent banner

A consent banner can keep the script that sets topicsLastReferenceTime waiting until the visitor accepts marketing cookies. Kukie.io's cookie scanner finds topicsLastReferenceTime 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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