Cookies, access and online choice in Europe

25 March 2026

The results of our latest report “Cookies, affordability, and online choice in Europe” are now available!

This report builds on our ongoing work to better understand citizens’ perspectives on key digital issues shaping Europe today.

As the EU debates the Digital Omnibus, we partnered with Google to carry out an online survey to explore how Europeans perceive online advertising, cookies and the use of their personal data.It draws on insights from 2,000 participants aged 18 to 60, surveyed across five EU Member States – France, Germany, Italy, Ireland and Poland.

The findings highlight significant socioeconomic and geographic divides in attitudes towards online advertising and digital business models. Across all five countries, affordability plays a central role, with a subscription-based internet more accessible to urban and higher-income users. This suggests that moving away from ad-supported models could risk digital exclusion for some users. At the same time, public views on cookie consent are nuanced. While many find cookie banners frustrating, nearly half see them as necessary to keep content free, and a majority accept them for convenience.

Read the report and don’t forget to check our social media channels for the latest updates!

The report was officially launched at a high-level policymaker roundtable, “Privacy, Plurality, Prosperity: Designing a Workable Digital Omnibus,” hosted by Friends of Europe on 5th May in Brussels.