How do CMPs work?

When a user initiates a request to access a website, the process sets off a chain reaction of interactions between the user’s browser and the web server. Initially, the user’s browser sends a request to the server hosting datagrail.io, seeking the code and resources needed to display the webpage. In response, the web server transmits the necessary code representing datagrail.io back to the user’s browser.

However, the display of the website is not solely determined by this exchange. CMPs play a crucial role in shaping what users ultimately see. As the web server responds with the initial code, the website's code itself incorporates functionality to read the user's consent preferences, typically stored in cookies. These preferences could encompass a range of choices, such as allowing or denying specific types of data collection or tracking.

Once the user’s consent preferences are received, the CMP steps in to update these preferences, based on the user’s current settings or any changes made since the last interaction. With the consent preferences adjusted as per the user’s requests, the additional functionality of the website, such as personalized content or targeted advertisements, is managed accordingly.

In essence, CMPs act as intermediaries. They ensure that users have control over their online privacy and experience by dynamically adjusting website functionalities based on their consent preferences.

Depending on the regulatory requirements a company deals with, the functionalities a CMP provides may differ slightly, but the result is always about providing users with transparency and choice regarding their data.