Why did users stop using I Don't Care About Cookies?

Avast acquired the extension in 2022 and the FTC fined Avast $16.5M in 2024 for selling users' browsing data collected without consent. Users abandoned the extension over privacy concerns.

Is there a trusted free alternative to I Don't Care About Cookies after the Avast acquisition?

Consent-O-Matic is open source and privacy-respecting but technically complex. Community forks exist but are poorly maintained. A new auto-reject extension launched April 2025 shows early traction.

What is OneTrust doing to block cookie auto-rejection extensions?

OneTrust filed a patent in 2025 to detect automated cookie rejection tools like Consent-O-Matic and serve CAPTCHAs to block them, making rule-based auto-rejection an arms race.

How does GDPR reform affect cookie consent banners?

The EU Commission proposed GDPR reform in November 2025 that would let users transmit data preferences in machine-readable format automatically. Implementation is expected no earlier than 2027.

How many cookie consent popups does an average user see per year?

Researchers estimate users encounter cookie consent banners 15-20 times per day, totaling over 5,000-7,000 per year across all web browsing.

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clawsmith.com/signal/cookie-consent-auto-reject-trusted-extension-gap

⚠ IssueUnderservedbrowser_extensionLive

Cookie Consent Auto-Reject Extension Trust Crisis After IDCAC Sold to Avast

The most popular cookie-consent-dismissal extension (I Don't Care About Cookies, 2M+ users) was acquired by Avast in 2022 and the FTC fined Avast $16.5M in 2024 for selling user browsing data. Users abandoned it but no trusted, privacy-respecting, actively maintained replacement covers all GDPR banner patterns. Consent-O-Matic is academic and complex; websites are now patenting countermeasures (OneTrust filed a patent to detect automated rejection and serve CAPTCHAs). A new auto-reject extension launched April 2025 (HN: 328) shows strong latent demand.

Product Idea from this Signal

A browser extension that auto-rejects cookie consent banners with a verified open-source trust model

4.9k ▲

Every major cookie auto-reject extension has either been acquired by a data broker (IDCAC sold to Avast, Avast fined $16.5M by FTC for selling browsing data) or remains an academic project too complex to maintain at scale. Users who relied on these tools have nowhere to turn that is both effective and trustworthy. A privacy-first, transparently audited, Manifest V3-native extension that auto-rejects non-essential cookies can capture this displaced audience and monetize through a paid tier for advanced features.

privacybrowser-extensioncookie-consentGDPRconsent-management

Competitive254 leadsView Opportunity →

Score Breakdown

GitHub

4,302

635

Social Proof 3 sources

Consent-O-Matic: Browser extension that automatically fills out cookie popups

gh:cavi-au

4,302 HN

Show HN: A Chrome extension that will auto-reject non-essential cookies

4/29/2025

328 HN

I don't care about cookies web extension acquired by Avast

9/15/2022

307

Existing Solutions 3 competitors

Consent-O-Matic4099 GitHub stars

Academic open-source auto-reject extension from Aarhus University. Complex rule database, CMP vendors building countermeasures (OneTrust CAPTCHA patent).

I Don't Care About Cookies2M+ users (pre-Avast)

Largest extension in this space (2M+ users) but acquired by Avast in 2022. FTC fined Avast $16.5M in 2024 for selling user browsing data. Trust severely damaged.

Auto Reject Cookie (bymitch 2025)328 HN pts+comments

New open-source Chrome extension launched April 2025, gained 328 HN engagement. Still small and unverified.

Gap Assessment

UnderservedExisting solutions leave gaps

Consent-O-Matic works but is complex and academic. 'I Still Don't Care About Cookies' (community fork) exists but unmaintained. New entrant from Apr 2025 has traction but no dominant trusted option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Virality Score

4,937

across 2 platforms

Details

Signalissue

Ecosystembrowser_extension

Sources3

Platforms2

Updated3h ago

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