Add GDPR-compliant cookie consent with analytics blocking

_config.yml

@@ -403,6 +403,7 @@ enable_pirsch_analytics: false # enables Pirsch analytics (https://pirsch.io/)
 enable_openpanel_analytics: false # enables Openpanel analytics (https://openpanel.dev/)
 enable_google_verification: false # enables google site verification
 enable_bing_verification: false # enables bing site verification
+enable_cookie_consent: true # enables GDPR-compliant cookie consent dialog (https://github.com/orestbida/cookieconsent)
 enable_masonry: true # enables automatic project cards arrangement
 enable_math: true # enables math typesetting (uses MathJax)
 enable_tooltips: false # enables automatic tooltip links generated for each section titles on pages and posts
@@ -641,6 +642,14 @@ third_party_libraries:
       css: "https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/venobox@{{version}}/dist/venobox.min.css"
       js: "https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/venobox@{{version}}/dist/venobox.min.js"
     version: "2.1.8"
+  vanilla-cookieconsent:
+    integrity:
+      css: "sha256-ygRrixsQlBByBZiOcJamh7JByO9fP+/l5UPtKNJmRsE="
+      js: "sha256-vG4vLmOB/AJbJ6awr7Wg4fxonG+fxAp4cIrbIFTvRXU="
+    url:
+      css: "https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/vanilla-cookieconsent@{{version}}/dist/cookieconsent.css"
+      js: "https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/vanilla-cookieconsent@{{version}}/dist/cookieconsent.umd.js"
+    version: "3.1.0"
 
 # -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Get external JSON data

_includes/distill_scripts.liquid

@@ -189,29 +189,80 @@
   <!-- Removed Pseudocode -->
 {% endif %}
 
+{% if site.enable_cookie_consent %}
+  <!-- Cookie Consent -->
+  <script
+    defer
+    src="{{ site.third_party_libraries.vanilla-cookieconsent.url.js }}"
+    integrity="{{ site.third_party_libraries.vanilla-cookieconsent.integrity.js }}"
+    crossorigin="anonymous"
+  ></script>
+  <script defer src="{{ '/assets/js/cookie-consent-setup.js' | relative_url }}"></script>
+{% endif %}
+
 {% if site.enable_google_analytics %}
   <!-- Analytics -->
   <!-- Global site tag (gtag.js) - Google Analytics -->
-  <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id={{ site.google_analytics }}"></script>
-  <script defer src="{{ '/assets/js/google-analytics-setup.js' | relative_url }}"></script>
+  <script
+    {% if site.enable_cookie_consent %}
+      type="text/plain" data-category="analytics"
+    {% endif %}
+    async
+    src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id={{ site.google_analytics }}"
+  ></script>
+  <script
+    {% if site.enable_cookie_consent %}
+      type="text/plain" data-category="analytics"
+    {% endif %}
+    defer
+    src="{{ '/assets/js/google-analytics-setup.js' | relative_url }}"
+  ></script>
 {% endif %}
 
 {% if site.enable_cronitor_analytics %}
   <!-- Cronitor RUM -->
-  <script async src="https://rum.cronitor.io/script.js"></script>
-  <script defer src="{{ '/assets/js/cronitor-analytics-setup.js' | relative_url }}"></script>
+  <script
+    {% if site.enable_cookie_consent %}
+      type="text/plain" data-category="analytics"
+    {% endif %}
+    async
+    src="https://rum.cronitor.io/script.js"
+  ></script>
+  <script
+    {% if site.enable_cookie_consent %}
+      type="text/plain" data-category="analytics"
+    {% endif %}
+    defer
+    src="{{ '/assets/js/cronitor-analytics-setup.js' | relative_url }}"
+  ></script>
 {% endif %}
 {% if site.enable_pirsch_analytics %}
   <script
+    {% if site.enable_cookie_consent %}
+      type="text/plain" data-category="analytics"
+    {% endif %}
     defer
     src="https://api.pirsch.io/pa.js"
     id="pianjs"
     data-code="{{ site.pirsch_analytics }}"
   ></script>
 {% endif %}
 {% if site.enable_openpanel_analytics %}
-  <script defer src="{{ '/assets/js/open-panel-analytics-setup.js' | relative_url }}"></script>
-  <script async defer src="https://openpanel.dev/op1.js"></script>
+  <script
+    {% if site.enable_cookie_consent %}
+      type="text/plain" data-category="analytics"
+    {% endif %}
+    defer
+    src="{{ '/assets/js/open-panel-analytics-setup.js' | relative_url }}"
+  ></script>
+  <script
+    {% if site.enable_cookie_consent %}
+      type="text/plain" data-category="analytics"
+    {% endif %}
+    async
+    defer
+    src="https://openpanel.dev/op1.js"
+  ></script>
 {% endif %}
 
 {% if site.enable_progressbar %}

_includes/head.liquid

@@ -195,3 +195,14 @@
 {% if page.tikzjax %}
   <link defer rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="{{ '/assets/css/tikzjax.min.css' | relative_url | bust_file_cache }}">
 {% endif %}
+
+{% if site.enable_cookie_consent %}
+  <!-- Cookie Consent -->
+  <link
+    defer
+    rel="stylesheet"
+    href="{{ site.third_party_libraries.vanilla-cookieconsent.url.css }}"
+    integrity="{{ site.third_party_libraries.vanilla-cookieconsent.integrity.css }}"
+    crossorigin="anonymous"
+  >
+{% endif %}

_includes/scripts.liquid

@@ -223,29 +223,80 @@
   {% endunless %}
 {% endif %}
 
+{% if site.enable_cookie_consent %}
+  <!-- Cookie Consent -->
+  <script
+    defer
+    src="{{ site.third_party_libraries.vanilla-cookieconsent.url.js }}"
+    integrity="{{ site.third_party_libraries.vanilla-cookieconsent.integrity.js }}"
+    crossorigin="anonymous"
+  ></script>
+  <script defer src="{{ '/assets/js/cookie-consent-setup.js' | relative_url }}"></script>
+{% endif %}
+
 {% if site.enable_google_analytics %}
   <!-- Analytics -->
   <!-- Global site tag (gtag.js) - Google Analytics -->
-  <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id={{ site.google_analytics }}"></script>
-  <script defer src="{{ '/assets/js/google-analytics-setup.js' | relative_url }}"></script>
+  <script
+    {% if site.enable_cookie_consent %}
+      type="text/plain" data-category="analytics"
+    {% endif %}
+    async
+    src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id={{ site.google_analytics }}"
+  ></script>
+  <script
+    {% if site.enable_cookie_consent %}
+      type="text/plain" data-category="analytics"
+    {% endif %}
+    defer
+    src="{{ '/assets/js/google-analytics-setup.js' | relative_url }}"
+  ></script>
 {% endif %}
 
 {% if site.enable_cronitor_analytics %}
   <!-- Cronitor RUM -->
-  <script async src="https://rum.cronitor.io/script.js"></script>
-  <script defer src="{{ '/assets/js/cronitor-analytics-setup.js' | relative_url }}"></script>
+  <script
+    {% if site.enable_cookie_consent %}
+      type="text/plain" data-category="analytics"
+    {% endif %}
+    async
+    src="https://rum.cronitor.io/script.js"
+  ></script>
+  <script
+    {% if site.enable_cookie_consent %}
+      type="text/plain" data-category="analytics"
+    {% endif %}
+    defer
+    src="{{ '/assets/js/cronitor-analytics-setup.js' | relative_url }}"
+  ></script>
 {% endif %}
 {% if site.enable_pirsch_analytics %}
   <script
+    {% if site.enable_cookie_consent %}
+      type="text/plain" data-category="analytics"
+    {% endif %}
     defer
     src="https://api.pirsch.io/pa.js"
     id="pianjs"
     data-code="{{ site.pirsch_analytics }}"
   ></script>
 {% endif %}
 {% if site.enable_openpanel_analytics %}
-  <script defer src="{{ '/assets/js/open-panel-analytics-setup.js' | relative_url }}"></script>
-  <script async defer src="https://openpanel.dev/op1.js"></script>
+  <script
+    {% if site.enable_cookie_consent %}
+      type="text/plain" data-category="analytics"
+    {% endif %}
+    defer
+    src="{{ '/assets/js/open-panel-analytics-setup.js' | relative_url }}"
+  ></script>
+  <script
+    {% if site.enable_cookie_consent %}
+      type="text/plain" data-category="analytics"
+    {% endif %}
+    async
+    defer
+    src="https://openpanel.dev/op1.js"
+  ></script>
 {% endif %}
 
 {% if site.enable_progressbar %}

_scripts/cookie-consent-setup.js

@@ -0,0 +1,145 @@
+---
+permalink: /assets/js/cookie-consent-setup.js
+---
+/**
+ * Cookie Consent Configuration
+ * Documentation: https://cookieconsent.orestbida.com/
+ *
+ * GDPR-Compliant Approach:
+ * - Analytics scripts use type="text/plain" data-category="analytics"
+ * - The library blocks all marked scripts until user consents
+ * - Scripts NEVER run until explicit consent is given
+ * - Google Consent Mode is used for Google Analytics privacy mode before consent
+ * - Other analytics (Cronitor, Pirsch, OpenPanel) are blocked until consent given
+ *
+ * Supported Analytics Providers:
+ * - Cronitor RUM
+ * - Google Analytics (GA4)
+ * - OpenPanel Analytics
+ * - Pirsch Analytics
+ */
+
+// Initialize Google Consent Mode BEFORE any tracking
+// This tells Google services to operate in privacy mode until user consents
+window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];
+function gtag() {
+  window.dataLayer.push(arguments);
+}
+gtag('consent', 'default', {
+  'ad_storage': 'denied',
+  'analytics_storage': 'denied',
+  'functionality_storage': 'denied',
+  'personalization_storage': 'denied'
+});
+
+// Wait for the library to be available
+function initializeCookieConsent() {
+  // Check if CookieConsent is available
+  if (!window.CookieConsent) {
+    // Library not yet loaded, try again after a short delay
+    setTimeout(initializeCookieConsent, 100);
+    return;
+  }
+
+  window.CookieConsent.run({
+    categories: {
+      necessary: {
+        enabled: true,
+        readOnly: true
+      },
+      analytics: {}
+    },
+
+    language: {
+      default: 'en',
+      translations: {
+        en: {
+          consentModal: {
+            title: 'We use cookies',
+            description: 'This website uses cookies to improve your experience and analyze site traffic. By clicking "Accept all", you consent to our use of cookies.',
+            acceptAllBtn: 'Accept all',
+            acceptNecessaryBtn: 'Reject all',
+            showPreferencesBtn: 'Manage Individual preferences'
+          },
+          preferencesModal: {
+            title: 'Manage cookie preferences',
+            acceptAllBtn: 'Accept all',
+            acceptNecessaryBtn: 'Reject all',
+            savePreferencesBtn: 'Accept current selection',
+            closeIconLabel: 'Close modal',
+            sections: [
+              {
+                title: 'Cookie usage',
+                description: 'We use cookies to ensure the basic functionalities of the website and to enhance your online experience. You can choose for each category to opt-in/out whenever you want.'
+              },
+              {
+                title: 'Strictly Necessary cookies',
+                description: 'These cookies are essential for the proper functioning of the website. Without these cookies, the website would not work properly.',
+                linkedCategory: 'necessary'
+              },
+              {
+                title: 'Analytics cookies',
+                description: 'These cookies allow us to measure traffic and analyze your behavior to improve our service.',
+                linkedCategory: 'analytics'
+              },
+              {
+                title: 'More information',
+                description: 'For any queries in relation to our policy on cookies and your choices, please <a class="cc-link" href="{{ site.url }}{{ site.baseurl }}/#contact">contact us</a>.'
+              }
+            ]
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    },
+
+    // Callback when user accepts/rejects consent
+    onFirstConsent: function(consentData) {
+      updateConsentMode(consentData);
+    },
+
+    // Callback when user changes preferences
+    onChange: function(consentData) {
+      updateConsentMode(consentData);
+    }
+  });
+
+  /**
+   * Update Google Consent Mode based on user preferences
+   * This ensures Google services respect user choices
+   */
+  function updateConsentMode(consentData) {
+    // Handle both callback data structures
+    var categories = consentData.categories || consentData;
+
+    // Ensure categories is an object
+    if (!categories || typeof categories !== 'object') {
+      console.warn('Invalid consent data structure:', consentData);
+      return;
+    }
+
+    gtag('consent', 'update', {
+      'analytics_storage': categories.analytics ? 'granted' : 'denied',
+      'ad_storage': 'denied',
+      'functionality_storage': 'denied',
+      'personalization_storage': 'denied'
+    });
+
+    if (categories.analytics) {
+      console.debug('✓ Analytics consent granted - tracking enabled for all providers');
+      // Analytics scripts with data-category="analytics" will automatically run
+      // when the library re-evaluates them after this consent update
+    } else {
+      console.debug('✗ Analytics consent denied - no tracking data collected');
+      // Analytics scripts are already blocked by the library (type="text/plain")
+      // No tracking will occur for:
+      // - Cronitor RUM
+      // - Google Analytics (GA4)
+      // - OpenPanel Analytics
+      // - Pirsch Analytics
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+// Initialize when the library is available
+initializeCookieConsent();
+

assets/js/theme.js

@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ let applyTheme = () => {
   setHighlight(theme);
   setGiscusTheme(theme);
   setSearchTheme(theme);
+  setCookieConsentTheme(theme);
   updateCalendarUrl();
 
   // if mermaid is not defined, do nothing
@@ -245,6 +246,18 @@ let setSearchTheme = (theme) => {
   }
 };
 
+let setCookieConsentTheme = (theme) => {
+  // Sync cookie consent modal with site's theme
+  // The cookie consent library supports dark mode via the cc--darkmode class
+  var htmlElement = document.documentElement;
+
+  if (theme === "dark") {
+    htmlElement.classList.add("cc--darkmode");
+  } else {
+    htmlElement.classList.remove("cc--darkmode");
+  }
+};
+
 let transTheme = () => {
   document.documentElement.classList.add("transition");
   window.setTimeout(() => {