Deceptive Cookies: Consent by Design -- A Mixed Methods Study

A mixed-methods study found that cookie consent banners often steer users toward acceptance even when they prefer to reject cookies.

Participants said they wanted privacy, but deceptive banner patterns and perceived UX benefits made them more likely to consent.

Trust in a website increased acceptance, and withdrawing consent took more than 20 times longer than giving it.

The findings suggest current consent-banner designs can weaken informed choice and make privacy protection harder in practice.