Cookiefy GDPR Compliance vs EU VAT Assistant for WooCommerce

Cookiefy provides enterprise-grade GDPR compliance for WordPress websites through an intelligent cookie consent management system. The plugin connects to the Cookiefy service to automatically detect, classify, and manage cookies while providing visitors with proper consent options. IMPORTANT: This plugin requires connection to external Cookiefy services to function. Please review the “External Services” section below for complete details on data transmission and privacy implications. Key Features Automatic Cookie Detection – Advanced AI-powered scanning detects all cookies on your website Intelligent Classification – Automatically categorizes cookies (Necessary, Analytics, Marketing, Preferences, Unclassified) Multiple Core Modes – Choose between Standard, Lenient, or Strict blocking based on your needs Premium Banner Themes – Professional designs including Comprehensive and Compact Modern styles Real-time Updates – Cookie settings sync instantly across your website WordPress Integration – Full AJAX support with proper nonce security Custom Configuration – Advanced JSON configuration for power users Performance Optimized – CDN delivery with script preloading for fast load times Core Modes Standard Mode (Recommended) * Balanced GDPR compliance with optimized performance * Blocks cookies and essential tracking scripts * Maintains good site compatibility * Best for most WordPress websites Lenient Mode (Lightweight) * Minimal cookie blocking for maximum compatibility * Only blocks cookie writes – scripts load normally * Best page performance with reduced privacy protection * Ideal for complex JavaScript applications or performance-critical sites Strict Mode (Advanced Users Only) * Maximum GDPR compliance with comprehensive blocking * Blocks scripts, DOM modifications, network requests, and localStorage * May cause website functionality issues * Only recommended for advanced users who can handle potential breakage Service Integration This plugin connects to the Cookiefy external service (https://cookiefy.app) to: * Retrieve cookie classification data for your domain * Access banner configuration and translations * Synchronize consent preferences (optional) * Provide compliance reporting and analytics You must create an account at Cookiefy to obtain a Domain ID for the plugin to function. The service processes cookie data according to its privacy policy. Banner Themes Comprehensive (Recommended) – Feature-rich banner with detailed cookie information and customization options Compact Modern – Clean, minimal design optimized for mobile and desktop WordPress Features AJAX Integration – Seamless consent handling without page reloads Security First – Proper nonce verification on all AJAX requests Caching Compatible – Works with all major WordPress caching plugins Admin Integration – Full WordPress admin interface with live status updates Consent Logging – Optional compliance logging for audit purposes External Services REQUIRED EXTERNAL SERVICE DISCLOSURE This plugin relies on external services provided by Cookiefy to function. By installing and activating this plugin, you acknowledge that your website will connect to and transmit data to third-party services. Primary Service: Cookiefy Cookie Management Platform Service Provider: Cookiefy (cookiefy.app) Service Purpose: Cookie consent management, cookie classification, and GDPR compliance functionality What data is sent: * Your website’s domain name (for service authentication and configuration) * User consent preferences and timestamps (when users interact with the consent banner) * Basic website analytics data (page views, consent rates, banner interactions) * Referrer information and page URLs where consent events occur When data is sent: * During plugin initialization (domain verification and configuration retrieval) * When the consent banner loads on your website * When users interact with the consent banner (accept, reject, customize) * When cookies are detected and require classification * During banner configuration updates in the admin panel Service endpoints used: * https://api.cookiefy.app/api/cdn-config/ – Configuration and cookie classification data * https://api.cookiefy.app/api/cookie-db – Cookie classification database * https://api.cookiefy.app/api/report-unknown-cookie – Unknown cookie reporting Legal documentation: * Terms of Service: https://cookiefy.app/terms-of-service * Privacy Policy: https://cookiefy.app/privacy-policy CDN Service: Cookiefy Content Delivery Network Service Provider: Cookiefy CDN (cdn.cookiefy.app) Service Purpose: Fast, reliable delivery of consent banner scripts and assets, powered by cloudflare. What data is sent: * HTTP requests for JavaScript files and assets * Standard web server logs (IP address, user agent, referrer) * Your website’s domain name (in request headers) When data is sent: * Every time a visitor loads a page on your website (to fetch banner scripts) * During initial plugin setup and configuration CDN endpoints used: * https://cdn.cookiefy.app/wp-cookiefy-core.min.js – Core cookie blocking, and GDPR compliance functionality * https://cdn.cookiefy.app/wp-cookiefy-ui.min.js – Standard banner interface * https://cdn.cookiefy.app/wp-compact-cookiefy-ui-modern.min.js – Compact banner interface Legal documentation: * Same as primary service (Cookiefy terms and privacy policy apply) Data Processing Legal Basis Legitimate Interest: Cookie classification and service delivery Contractual Necessity: Providing the cookie consent management service User Consent: Analytics and reporting features (where applicable) Data Retention and Geographic Processing Configuration data: Retained for the duration of active service subscription Analytics data: Retained for up to 24 months for reporting purposes User consent records: Retained according to legal requirements (typically 3 years) Processing locations: European Union and United States data centers Your Control and User Rights Users can request data deletion through the Cookiefy dashboard You can disable analytics collection in the plugin settings The service complies with GDPR, CCPA, and other privacy regulations You can export your consent data through the Cookiefy dashboard Alternative Solutions If you prefer not to use external services, consider: * Self-hosted cookie consent solutions * WordPress-only cookie plugins (with limited functionality) * Custom development for your specific requirements By using this plugin, you acknowledge that: 1. Your website will connect to and transmit data to Cookiefy services 2. You have reviewed and accept Cookiefy’s terms of service and privacy policy 3. You understand the data transmission requirements for the service to function 4. You will inform your website visitors about these external connections as required by law Support and Documentation Documentation: https://cookiefy.app/en/docs/ Support Center: https://cookiefy.app/contact Service Website: https://cookiefy.app This plugin requires a Domain ID from your Cookiefy account. Sign up for a free trial to get started with enterprise-grade cookie compliance. Privacy and External Services This plugin integrates with the Cookiefy service (cookiefy.app) to provide cookie management functionality. When active, the plugin: Connects to Cookiefy CDN servers to load optimized scripts Retrieves cookie classification data and banner configurations May synchronize consent preferences with the service (configurable) Processes Domain ID for service authentication Data Handling: * No personal data is transmitted without explicit user consent * Cookie detection and classification occurs through the external service * Consent data can be stored locally or optionally synchronized * All data transmission uses secure HTTPS connections Required External Connections: * https://cdn.cookiefy.app/ – For loading optimized banner and core scripts * https://cookiefy.app/ – For configuration and classification data The plugin respects user privacy and only processes data necessary for GDPR compliance functionality. Please review Cookiefy’s privacy policy at their website for complete details on data handling practices. Technical Requirements WordPress 5.0 or higher PHP 7.4 or higher HTTPS recommended for secure cookie handling Domain ID from Cookiefy account JavaScript enabled on visitor browsers Customisation beyond It is possible to have a completely custom banner with the blocking script, for more information on how to achieve this, contact [email protected]

Important The EU VAT Assistant reached its end of life on the 30th of June 2022 (see the announcement from January 2022). The plugin is still functional and it can be used, but it’s no longer maintained or supported. We’re keeping it available for a while longer as a courtesy to existing users who have developers who can take care of its maintenance and troubleshooting. For more information about the plugin retirement and the recomemnded alternative, please refer to the sticky post in the support forum: EU VAT Assistant – End of life and recommended alternative. This is a full version of the premium EU VAT Assistant plugin We are proud to say that this is the most powerful free EU VAT solution on the market. It was designed with you, the merchant, in mind, and it will make it easier to deal with the new, complex EU VAT regulations. this plugin was developed by Aelia Team – The WooCommerce internationalisation experts. The EU VAT Assistant for WooCommerce is designed to help achieving compliance with the new European VAT regulations, coming into effect on the 1st of January 2015. Starting from that date, digital goods sold to consumers in the European Union are liable to EU VAT, no matter where the seller is located. The VAT rate to apply to each sale is the one charged in the country of consumption, i.e. where the customer resides. These new rules apply to worldwide sellers, whether resident in the European Union or not, who sell their products to EU customers. For more information: EU: 2015 Place of Supply Changes – Mini One-Stop-Shop. How this plugin will help you The EU VAT Assistant plugin extends the standard WooCommerce sale process and calculates the VAT due under the new regime. The information gathered by the plugin can then be used to prepare VAT reports, which will help filing the necessary VAT/MOSS returns. Tracks and records customers’ location. The EU VAT Assistant plugin also records details about each sale, to prove that the correct VAT rate was applied. This is done to comply with the new rules, which require that at least two pieces of non contradictory evidence must be gathered, for each sale, as a proof of customer’s location. The evidence is saved automatically against each new order, from the moment the EU VAT compliance plugin is activated. Collects evidence required by the new regulations. All the data used to determine the VAT regime to apply is recorded in real-time, stored with the order and made available as needed. Accepts and validates EU VAT numbers, adjusting VAT accordingly. Validation of European VAT numbers is performed via the official VIES service, provided by the European Commission. This feature is equivalent to the one provided by the EU VAT Number plugin. Supports a dedicated VAT currency, which is used to generate the reports. You can sell in any currency you like, the EU VAT Assistant plugin will take care of converting the VAT amounts to the currency you will use to file your returns. Can automatically populates the VAT rates for all EU countries. With a single click, you enter the VAT rates for all 28 EU countries. No more tedious manual typing! Includes advanced Reports EU VAT report by Country. This report will show you all the VAT collected under the VAT MOSS regime, as well as the VAT collected for your domestic VAT return. VIES report. This report shows all the supplies provided to B2B customers. INTRASTAT report. This report shows all the sales made to the EU. Sales by Country (in development). Supports ECB exchange rates in VAT MOSS reports. VAT MOSS Reports can use either the exchange rate saved with each order, or the European Central Bank rate required to produce the official VAT MOSS returns (ref. official documentation). This feature will allow you to use the most appropriate rate when producing your domestic VAT return and the VAT MOSS return. Supports mixed products/services scenarios. The new EU VAT MOSS regime applies to the sale of digital products and services that do not require significal manual intervention. Sale of services that are provided with human intervention, such as support, consultancy, design, are still subject to VAT at source. In this case, VAT has to be paid to the revenue in merchant’s country. WooCommerce allows to specify to which country a tax applies, but not to which country it should be paid once collected. The EU VAT Assistant can help, by allowing merchants to specify the “payable to” country for each VAT. Such information is then displayed in the VAT reports. Allows to force B2B or B2C sales. You can decide if you wish to force customers to a valid EU VAT number at checkout, thus accepting only B2B transactions, or prevent them from doing it, thus accepting only B2C transactions. Can prevent sales to specific countries. You can exclude some countries from the list of allowed ones, thus preventing customers from those countries from placing an order. It’s fully compatible with our internationalisation solutions, such the WooCommerce Currency Switcher, for multi-currency support, Prices by Country, Tax Display by Country and Prices by Role (coming soon). Automatically updates the exchange rates that are be used to produce the VAT reports in the selected VAT currency. The plugin can fetch exchange rates from the following providers: European Central Bank HM Revenue and Customs service Bitpay Irish Revenue (experimental) Danish National Bank (sponsored by Asbjoern Andersen). Fully supports refunds. Refunds were introduced in WooCommerce 2.2, and support for it was added to our plugin right from the start. Integrates with PDF Invoices and Packing Slips plugin, to automatically generate EU VAT-compliant invoices. Requirements WordPress 4.0 or newer. PHP 7.1 or newer. WooCommerce 3.5 or newer. Aelia Foundation Classes framework 2.1.0.201112 or newer. Disclaimer This product has been designed to help you fulfil the requirements of the following new EU VAT regulations: Identify customers’ location. Collect at least two non-contradictory pieces of evidence about the determined location. Apply the correct VAT rate. Ensure that VAT numbers used for B2B transactions are valid before applying VAT exemption. Collect all the data required to prepare VAT returns. We cannot, however, give any legal guarantee that the features provided by this product will be sufficient for you to be fully compliant. By using this product, you declare that you understand and agree that we cannot take any responsibility for errors, omissions or any non-compliance arising from the use of this plugin, alone or together with other products, plugins, themes, extensions or services. It will be your responsibility to check the data produced by this product and file accurate VAT returns on time with your Revenue authority. For more information, please refer to our terms and conditions of sale and support.