Do Temporary Session Identifiers (Session IDs) Require Consent Under GDPR?
A common question around privacy-compliant analytics is whether temporary Session IDs fall under “tracking technologies” that require user consent.
The short answer: it depends on how the Session ID is implemented.
When Session IDs Do Require Consent
A temporary Session ID requires consent if:
- It is stored in a cookie or similar persistent storage
- It can be used to recognize a user over time
- It can be combined with other identifiers to reconstruct a profile
- It is used for tracking across multiple domains
In these cases, the Session ID becomes a personal identifier, making consent mandatory under:
- GDPR
- ePrivacy Directive
- Local guidelines (CNIL, AEPD, ICO…)
When Session IDs Do Not Require Consent
Regulators such as CNIL (France) and AEPD (Spain) explicitly allow “cookie-less session identifiers” for audience measurement, as long as they meet strict conditions:
Conditions for Consent-Free Session IDs
- Used exclusively for audience measurement (no marketing / profiling)
- No cross-site tracking
- Not persistent → disappears after the browser session ends
- Not stored in cookies or localStorage
- Cannot be combined with other identifiers to re-identify the user
- No fingerprinting techniques
If all these requirements are met, the Session ID is considered non-identifying, and consent is not required.
How SealMetrics Ensures Compliance
SealMetrics provides two measurement modes to adapt to different privacy levels:
1. Session ID Mode
✔ Temporary Session IDs
✔ Fully compliant with CNIL & AEPD consent exemptions
✔ No persistence
✔ No personal identification
Session IDs are used only within the active session to group hits — never to track or identify users.
2. Super-Privacy Mode (Isolated Hits)
✔ No Session IDs at all
✔ No cookies
✔ No identifiers
✔ Maximum anonymity
This mode guarantees absolute compliance with GDPR, ePrivacy, and the strictest interpretations of privacy law.
Summary
| Scenario | Requires Consent? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Session ID stored in a cookie | Yes | Persistence = identification |
| Temporary ID without cookies | No | Cannot identify the user |
| Cross-site session tracking | Yes | Considered profiling |
| Isolated hits (no Session ID) | No | No identifiers at all |
SealMetrics ensures that all tracking—Session-based or Isolated—remains fully compliant with GDPR and ePrivacy, without compromising your analytics.
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