Managing a website while keeping up with privacy regulations can feel overwhelming, especially with the dual requirements of the ePrivacy Directive (ePD) and GDPR. Many sites unknowingly host third-party beacons—small trackers that monitor user behavior without obtaining explicit consent. Under Article 5(3) of the ePrivacy Directive, these beacons require explicit user consent before any data can be accessed on the user’s device. Non-compliance can lead to significant legal risks.
With AesirX Privacy Scanner and Consent Shield, you can easily identify and block privacy-invasive trackers while achieving compliance with both GDPR and the ePrivacy Directive. Unlike solutions that focus solely on GDPR compliance, AesirX addresses the device access and storage requirements mandated by the ePD, giving you a competitive edge.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to use AesirX Privacy Scanner to identify privacy-invasive beacons and how to block them using AesirX Consent Shield, maintaining full compliance with both the ePD and GDPR.
Why Managing Beacons and Trackers Is Important
Imagine a visitor browsing your site, unaware that hidden trackers are monitoring their every move. As a website owner, you might not even realize these beacons are present, quietly collecting data without explicit consent. This jeopardizes user privacy and can lead to non-compliance with GDPR and ePrivacy regulations, resulting in hefty fines.
AesirX Privacy Scanner identifies these privacy-invading beacons and tracks the domains responsible. However, detecting them is only half the solution – blocking these trackers is essential to protect your users and maintain the integrity of your site.
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Scan Your Website with AesirX Privacy Scanner
Start by scanning your website to identify any invasive beacons or third-party trackers that may be collecting user data without proper consent.
1. Access AesirX Privacy Scanner at https://privacyscanner.aesirx.io.
2. Enter your website URL and click Scan Now.
3. Receive a detailed report listing all active beacons and third-party trackers on your site.
Once the scan is complete, you’ll see a comprehensive list of third-party domains tracking your users’ data. For example, when scanning a site using JetPack, you may find domains like:
- pixel.wp.com
- stats.wp.com
- s0.wp.com
These domains are potentially invasive and should be addressed.
Step 2: Install AesirX Analytics & CMP (If Not Already Installed)
Before blocking domains, make sure you have AesirX Analytics & CMP installed on your WordPress site. This tool enables plugin detection, domain blocking and consent management for third-party trackers.
Here’s how to install it:
1. Create an AesirX Account:
- Visit the AesirX Sign-Up Page to register for a Shield of Privacy (SoP) account. This account provides your AesirX Account ID and access to all solutions.
- Choose your Shield of Privacy ID and select “First-Party Analytics” from the Solutions drop-down menu.
- Complete the registration to receive your license ID and confirmation email.
2. Install the Plugin:
- In your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New.
- Search for AesirX Analytics.
- Click Install and then Activate.
3. Configure AesirX Analytics:
- Navigate to Settings > AesirX Analytics in your WordPress dashboard.
- Set up your server configuration (internal or external) and enable consent management.
- Paste your solution key and click Save.
This setup gives you the tools needed to block invasive domains and manage your analytics in a privacy-first way.
Step 3: Use AesirX Consent Shield for Plugin Detection
With AesirX Analytics & CMP active, the next step is to utilize the plugin detection features to identify and block any active plugins, such as JetPack, that may collect user data without consent.
1. Access AesirX Analytics Settings:
- Go to AesirX Analytics Settings in your WordPress dashboard.
2. Automatic Plugin Detection:
- AesirX Consent Shield will automatically scan your site for all active plugins that may collect user data. This includes popular plugins like JetPack, as well as any other third-party plugins you might have installed.
- Review the auto-detection list for any plugins that may pose privacy risks.
3. Block Plugins Until User Consent:
- For any plugins flagged as potentially invasive, tick the option to block their execution until the user provides explicit consent. This ensures that no data is collected without user agreement, strengthening your compliance with GDPR and ePrivacy regulations.
Step 4: Block Domains with AesirX Consent Shield
Now that the plugin detection is set up, you can proceed to block the domains identified by the Privacy Scanner.
1. Scroll to the AesirX Consent Shield for Domain/Path-Based Blocking section.
2. Enter the domains flagged by the Privacy Scanner, such as:
- pixel.wp.com
- stats.wp.com
- s0.wp.com
3. Click Save to apply the changes.
This ensures that unauthorized third-party trackers are blocked from collecting data on your site without proper consent, enhancing your site's privacy compliance.
Additionally, under Script Blocking Options, you can choose from two settings:
1. Only Third-Party Hosts (Default): Blocks scripts from third-party domains while allowing first-party scripts.
2. Both First and Third-Party Hosts: Blocks scripts from all domains, giving you complete control based on user consent.
Step 5: Re-Scan Your Website for Confirmation
After blocking the domains, it’s important to verify that the changes are effective.
1. Rescan your website with AesirX Privacy Scanner to confirm that the previously identified beacons are now blocked.
2. Review the updated report to ensure all flagged beacons are neutralized.
By confirming the changes, you can rest assured that your site complies with GDPR and other privacy regulations.
Why This Process Matters
By using AesirX Privacy Scanner and AesirX Analytics & CMP, you’ve significantly improved your website’s privacy practices. This not only protects your visitors from intrusive tracking but also helps your business avoid hefty non-compliance fines.
Prioritizing privacy builds trust. Keeping your site free from unauthorized beacons and respecting user consent creates a safer, more transparent online environment.
Next Steps
Now that you’ve successfully blocked problematic beacons, explore additional ways to enhance your site's privacy compliance:
- Get Personalized Guidance: Use AesirX Privacy Advisor AI for tailored advice on your privacy challenges.
- Request a Comprehensive Privacy Review: For expert insights, request a Web-Facing Privacy Review. Our team will provide a strategic framework and actionable steps to maintain long-term compliance.
- Set Up AesirX Privacy Monitoring: Enable continuous scans and alerts to automatically detect new privacy risks. Learn more.
- Prevent Unauthorized Data Collection: Utilize AesirX Consent Shield to manage consent preferences and block unapproved trackers.
For more instructions on AesirX’s privacy-centric solutions, visit our Documentation Hub.
