As a web developer, I care deeply about privacy. I work hard to build experiences that are fast, accessible, and compliant with privacy laws like the GDPR and CCPA. But in recent years, a frustrating trend has emerged—one that threatens to undermine the very trust and usability these laws aim to protect: frivolous privacy complaints from users who voluntarily visit and interact with websites, then claim their privacy was violated.

I’ve implemented consent banners, cookie controls, and outlined privacy policies in plain English. I’ve anonymized analytics, configured servers to respect Do Not Track signals, and added opt-outs where possible. And still, I get flagged—for collecting a session ID, for loading a font, or for using standard analytics that don't even store personally identifiable information.

The Misunderstanding of Consent

Under GDPR Article 6, websites can process data if the user gives consent or if the data is required to fulfill a service the user requested. That’s the law. And under CCPA, websites are allowed to collect certain information as long as they inform users and give them a way to opt out.

But that’s not how some visitors see it. They voluntarily use a site, dismiss the cookie banner, and later allege wrongdoing—ignoring the consent they already gave. I’ve seen people file complaints over harmless technical processes like storing a cart session or remembering a dark mode preference. These are standard features—not surveillance.

We're Not Google—We’re Just Trying to Build the Internet

Small development teams and freelancers like myself don’t have legal departments or teams of compliance officers. According to the IAPP, responding to a single data subject request can cost over $1,500⁴. That’s a lot when you’re just trying to ship a product that works and plays by the rules.

It feels like developers are stuck in a lose-lose scenario. If we don't collect basic functional data, the site doesn't work. If we do, someone might report us for doing exactly what the browser or user consented to. These aren’t violations—they’re misinterpretations being weaponized.

Regulators Are Overwhelmed, and It’s Hurting Everyone

The UK ICO reported that over 30% of the complaints they received in 2023 were baseless or lacked substance². The Irish DPC said the same. And every time one of these complaints is logged, legitimate cases involving real breaches or unethical practices get delayed or overlooked.

I’m not denying that bad actors exist. Some companies do exploit data, and users should absolutely report that. But a line has to be drawn between meaningful violations and frictionless, transparent user experiences that follow the rules.

What We Need

We need more digital literacy. We need better filtering mechanisms for regulators. And we need users to take some responsibility for their choices online. Clicking “accept all” and then claiming harm because a pageview was logged? That’s not privacy infringement—that’s a misunderstanding of how the web works.

I'm tired of spending more time defending ethical, compliant practices than actually improving the user experience. As developers, we’re not the enemy—we’re the people trying to keep the web usable, accessible, and fair. But every false complaint adds friction, costs, and stress that many of us simply can’t afford.

Final Thought

Privacy is a right. But abusing privacy laws doesn’t protect rights—it weakens them. If we want a secure, trustworthy internet, we need to focus on real violations—not imagined ones. Otherwise, the people who actually care about compliance might be the first to burn out.

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