Cookie Scanning and Tag Classification: Why It Matters Under DPDP Act

When it comes to the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, one area that businesses often overlook but can’t afford to ignore is how cookies and tags are handled on their websites and apps.

From third-party analytics trackers to marketing pixels and embedded chat tools, every digital tag that collects or processes personal data falls under the scope of DPDP.

In this blog, we break down why cookie scanning and tag classification are now mandatory steps in your compliance journey and how they can protect both your business and your users.

What Is Cookie Scanning?

Cookie scanning is the process of auditing your website or application to detect all cookies and tracking technologies being used both first-party and third-party.

This includes:

• Analytics tags (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel)

• Advertising pixels (e.g., Meta Pixel, LinkedIn Insight Tag)

• Chat widgets (e.g., Intercom, Zendesk)

• Video embeds, social media plug-ins, and more

Most websites unknowingly run dozens of trackers many of which load before user consent is even taken. That’s a direct violation under the DPDP Act.

What Is Tag Classification?

Tag classification means grouping each detected cookie or script into categories based on its purpose. Under DPDP, this is critical for purpose-specific consent (Rule 3).

Common classifications:

• Essential: Required for the core functioning of the site

• Analytics: Collects user behavior and traffic insights

• Marketing: Tracks users for retargeting and ad personalization

• Functional: Enables chat, video, or social integrations

• Unclassified/Unknown: Tags not yet assigned a category (and risky)

Each tag must be matched to the data it processes, and users must be informed of this before it loads.

What the DPDP Act Says About Cookies

The DPDP Act 2023 and the Rules, 2025 make it clear:

• Consent must be taken before personal data is processed.

• That consent must be informed, specific, unambiguous, and freely given.

• Users must be able to refuse or withdraw consent easily.

• Each purpose must be clearly disclosed, with options to opt-in or opt-out individually.

Loading cookies or trackers without consent? That’s non-compliance even if it’s “just for analytics.”

The Risks of Skipping Scanning and Classification

If you don’t know what’s running on your site, you’re exposing your business to:

• Undisclosed third-party data sharing

• Personal data leakage without user permission

• Hidden trackers violating opt-out preferences

• Hefty DPDP fines up to ₹250 crore per breach

Even worse, users lose trust when they realise your cookie banner isn’t honest.

How to Stay Compliant: The 5-Step Cookie Workflow

1. Run Regular Cookie Scans
   Use automated tools to detect every tag even new ones from 3rd-party integrations.

2. Classify Tags by Purpose
   Group them as essential, analytics, marketing, etc., and match to processing activities.

3. Update Your Cookie Banner
   Allow granular consent. Show “Accept All,” “Reject All,” and individual toggles per category.

4. Delay Non-Essential Scripts
   Block all tags that don’t have user approval. Only load them after opt-in.

5. Maintain Consent Logs
   Keep verifiable records of when consent was taken and for what purpose as mandated by DPDP.

How Blutic Helps

Blutic’s Smart Cookie Scanner and Dynamic Tag Manager simplify all of this:

• Automatically detects and classifies new tags

• Blocks non-essential cookies until consent is given

• Offers a fully DPDP-compliant banner with granular controls

• Keeps audit-ready logs for every user interaction

• Works seamlessly across websites, apps, and embedded tools

Don’t just ask for consent. Earn it with transparency.

Under the DPDP Act, cookie management isn’t optional it’s a legal responsibility. And it starts with knowing exactly what’s on your site and why it’s there.

Cookie scanning and tag classification are no longer just for global brands or GDPR compliance. They are essential for every Indian business that wants to stay on the right side of the law and build digital experiences founded on trust and clarity.