Avoiding Cookies with HTML and CSS

I don't want any tracking of my activities. If I have the option to decline optional cookies, I sure as hell will. And if not, it's time to whip out the good old browser developer tools.

On most sites, all I have to do is select the element containing the cookie banner and remove it.

Some also make sure, that the body isn't scrollable while the banner is open. That usually consists of the two following CSS styles on the body:

body {
    overflow: hidden !important;
    position: fixed !important;
    ...
}

Removing them should reenable the scrollbar and the ability to scroll.

This is only effective on websites you visit once or very rarely, like articles and the like. If you have to navigate, you'll see a new banner each time.

And that should be it. A usable site, without unnecessary cookies. Like it should be. It's a little bit of effort, but declining those banners without a visible decline button is too.

This doesn't work on smartphones. There, these hostile sites receive a well-deserved increase in their debounce rate instead. That'll teach them.