I find the clarification about cookie walls being out of compliance with GDPR to be a real headscratcher. Here's part of the Dutch authority's FAQs[0] thanks to Google Translate:
"At a cookie wall, website visitors have no real or free choice. It is true that they can refuse tracking cookies, but that is not possible without adverse consequences. Because refusing tracking cookies means that they cannot access the website. That is why cookie walls are prohibited under the AVG."
I find this fascinating. Is there really not a free choice to simply leave the website? A paywall is surely legal. But it is illegal for me to "pay" using something other than money.
Am I allowed to offer users additional functionality in exchange for access to their data?
"At a cookie wall, website visitors have no real or free choice. It is true that they can refuse tracking cookies, but that is not possible without adverse consequences. Because refusing tracking cookies means that they cannot access the website. That is why cookie walls are prohibited under the AVG."
I find this fascinating. Is there really not a free choice to simply leave the website? A paywall is surely legal. But it is illegal for me to "pay" using something other than money.
Am I allowed to offer users additional functionality in exchange for access to their data?
[0] https://autoriteitpersoonsgegevens.nl/nl/onderwerpen/interne...