YouTube allows you to effortlessly embed videos on your website using the "Share" option located below each video. However, to ensure compliance with GDPR regulations, a few adjustments are necessary when including YouTube videos.
Here's how to seamlessly integrate YouTube videos into your GDPR-compliant website:
Solution 1 – Automatic Scan
Use the advanced "Cookie Shield" feature, which can automatically detect YouTube embeds.
Set the Shield to "Learning" mode and browse your site's pages; the system will identify embedded content and automatically ensure privacy compliance.
Alternatively, you can configure everything manually if you prefer.
Solution 2 – Manual Configuration
Part 1 – The YouTube Embed Code
Go to YouTube and open the video you want to embed on your site.
Below the video, click the "Share" button.
This opens an overlay window with various sharing options. Click on "Embed."
After clicking "Embed," a new window appears: you'll see a video preview on the left and an iframe code on the right, with options to configure settings.
For GDPR-compliant video inclusion, make sure to check the "Enable privacy-enhanced mode" checkbox.
Notice how enabling this option changes the code:
Privacy-enhanced mode changes the src of the iframe—the source from which the video is loaded.
As you’ll see, the domain changes from youtube.com to youtube-nocookie.com. This allows you to include the video without setting any profiling cookies.
Part 2 – Declaring the Cookie with My Agile Privacy
In your WordPress admin area, go to My Agile Privacy → Cookie List from the left menu.
Here, you’ll find a list of cookies imported during plugin installation, all initially in draft status. Only publish the cookies relevant to your website.
This screen displays several columns:
- Cookie Name: the name of the cookie.
- Is Necessary: indicates whether the cookie is essential for functionality. If rejecting the cookie breaks the site, it is marked as essential (this is pre-filled).
- Auto Update: shows if the cookie reference text is automatically updated to stay GDPR compliant. If set to "yes," the plugin handles the updates.
- Installation Type: specifies the method used to add the cookie, which may vary depending on your needs. More details are in the guides.
To declare the presence of YouTube videos, locate "YouTube Video Widget (Google Inc.)" in the list and switch its status from "draft" to "published".
Conclusion
By following these steps, you’ll correctly inform users about the presence of YouTube videos on your site, ensuring GDPR compliance.
