System - EU e-Privacy Directive

The EU e-Privacy Directive extension is back—leaner, smarter, and built for today. Once a heavyweight champ of GDPR compliance, blocking every cookie until users said “yes,” the original plg_system_eprivacy powered over 16,000 sites with a strict, no-nonsense approach. But the EU’s rules have softened, and so have we. The new plg_system_eprivacy for Joomla 5 flips the script: implied consent, one-click setup, and a sleek interface that puts users in control—without the old complexity.

What you're seeing in this screenshot is the cooperation between System - EU e-Privacy Directive and 3 other plugins which offer consent options.  From System - Google Tag Manager, System - Global Privacy Control, and System - Do Not Track.  Each plugin provides its consent options to System - EU e-Privacy Directive, which displays and applies the consent changes.

Why It’s Different

Forget the past’s cookie-blocking fortress. The old version stopped everything—session, language, even third-party scripts—until explicit consent. It was a plugin-module duo fighting a strict fight. Today’s System - EU e-Privacy Directive embraces implied consent: services run unless users opt out. No more heavy overrides or tech caveats—just a single plugin that’s easy to install and easier to love. It’s privacy compliance, streamlined for the real world.

Joomla
Plugins
EU e-Privacy Directive
v5.0.8
Joomla! 3/5

P

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Built For Integration

With accompanying plugins to handle the Google Tag Manager consent, Global Privacy Control Header, and Do Not Track Header - the new System - EU e-Privacy Directive is not only as capable as its ancestor, it was created with integration in mind.  With a simple API, 3rd party developers can easily and quickly add their consent checkboxes to the popup or alert.

Compatible Consent Extensions:

  • System - Google Tag Manager - Google Analytics 4 implementation, with consent
  • System - Global Privacy Control - SEC_GPC HTTP Header
    • Obeying this header is required by the CCPA law in California.
  • System - Do Not Track - DNT HTTP Header
    • This header is deprecated.  Some browsers support it - but it saw little adoption.
  • Developers - let me know if you build a compatible extension and we can add it to this list!
    • Integration details can be found in the documentation (link below)

How It Works

  • First Visit: A friendly alert pops up—“We Value Your Privacy”—with a simple choice: Accept or tweak.  
  • Your Call: Hit the green “Accept” to roll with everything enabled, or “Decline” to nix non-essential options. Done.  
  • Change Your Mind: Click a “Privacy Settings” link anytime—options reset to “all on” for a fresh shot at customizing.

The System - EU e-Privacy Directive Interface

  • Clear Messaging: If the text isn't to your liking, you can easily and quickly update them using Joomla language overrides.
  • Options With Tooltips: Each user consent option is paired with an info icon to describe its function.
  • Mandatory Consents: Have a necessary function? Make it mandatory, users can see it - but they can't turn it off.

Display Options

Deviating from its predecessor, the display options in System - EU e-Privacy Directive have been pared down to the best looking and most often used:

  • Bootstrap 5 Alert: This isn't your standard Joomla system message, it only appears in the same place.
  • Bootstrap 5 Modal: Info just like the Alert, but in a modal format.
  • Link to Privacy Policy: If you choose an article, the alert/modal will display a privacy policy link.
  • Suppress Popup: You can choose to suppress the alert/modal while on the privacy policy page.

No clutter of half-a-dozen old-school styles—just two modern looks that fit Joomla 5 like a glove. Switch via a quick plugin setting, and you’re set.

Why You’ll Want It

  • Simple: One plugin, no modules—install and go.  
  • Flexible: Granular control without geek speak—pick what you allow, skip what you don’t.  
  • Modern: Built for Joomla 5, styled with Bootstrap 5—looks good, runs smooth.  
  • User-First: Revisits are a breeze, with a reset to keep decisions easy.

From Then to Now

The old EU e-Privacy Directive extension (plugin/module) was a tank—loaded with display tricks, consent logs, and constant updates for edge cases. It fought hard but grew heavy. The new version’s a sports car: fast, light, and focused on what matters. Where the original battled every cookie, this one flows with today’s rules—privacy without the pain.

Download the Plugin

  System - EU e-Privacy Directive 5.0.8143150

  Report a Bug   Documentation

Frequently Asked Questions:

Where is the link to change privacy settings?

That's up to you. The old version provided a mandatory module. This new version requires only that you place a link (as many as you like) anywhere on your page with the CSS class plg_system_eprivacy_privacy

What is the System - EU e-Privacy Directive plugin, and who is it for?

This Joomla 5 plugin helps website owners comply with the EU e-Privacy Directive by managing user consent for cookies and tracking services. It’s ideal for Joomla site administrators who need a simple, modern solution to handle privacy compliance, especially for sites serving EU visitors. Whether you’re running analytics, Google Tag Manager, or other services, it streamlines consent management with a user-friendly interface.

How is this plugin different from the original EU e-Privacy Directive extension?

The original was a plugin-module combo that blocked all cookies until explicit consent, which was complex and heavy. The new System - EU e-Privacy Directive is a single plugin with implied consent, meaning services run unless users opt out. It’s lighter, integrates with Bootstrap 5, and offers a streamlined setup with a modern alert or modal display.

Do I need Joomla 5 to use this plugin?

Yes, the plugin is designed for Joomla 5.x and requires PHP 8.1+ and Bootstrap 5 (included with Joomla 5). There is also an earlier version compatible with Joomla 3.x, but we recommend Joomla 5 for the best experience and styling.

What are the display options for the consent interface?

You can choose between two modern display types: Bootstrap 5 Alert and Bootstrap 5 Modal

Can I customize the text shown in the consent popup or alert?

Absolutely! You can change the default text (e.g., “We Value Your Privacy”) using Joomla’s Language Overrides. Go to System > Manage > Language Overrides, and edit keys like PLG_SYSTEM_EPRIVACY_TITLE or PLG_SYSTEM_EPRIVACY_MESSAGE. It’s quick and doesn’t require coding.

What happens when a user visits my site for the first time?

On their first visit (no plg_system_eprivacy cookie), the plugin shows a consent UI (alert or modal) with options to “Accept” or “Decline.” Accepting enables all services; declining disables non-mandatory ones. Users can revisit settings anytime via a link with the .plg_system_eprivacy_privacy class.

What are mandatory consents, and how do they work?

Mandatory consents are for essential services (e.g., session cookies) that can’t be disabled. In the consent UI, these appear as checked, locked checkboxes with tooltips explaining their purpose. You define mandatory options in companion plugins like System - Google Tag Manager.

Which plugins integrate with System - EU e-Privacy Directive?

Currently, three RicheyWeb plugins integrate seamlessly: System - Google Tag Manager, System - Global Privacy Control, and System - Do Not Track.

Can I style the consent alert or modal to match my site?

Yes! For the BS5 Modal, use a template override in your-template-directory/html/plg_system_eprivacy/modal.php. For the BS5 Alert, tweak CSS variables, e.g., #plg_system_eprivacy_alert { --bg-color: black; --color: white; }. Both leverage Joomla 5’s Bootstrap 5 for a polished look.

How does the plugin handle cookies?

It creates a master cookie (plg_system_eprivacy) set to 1 (accepted/custom) or 0 (declined non-mandatory). Companion plugins (e.g., plg_system_gtag) store their own JSON cookies with consent states, like {"analytics_storage": "granted"}. These are updated automatically when users accept or decline.

What if a user wants to change their consent settings later?

Add a link with the .plg_system_eprivacy_privacy class anywhere on your site (e.g., in a footer or menu). Clicking it reopens the consent UI with all options reset to checked (except mandatory ones, which stay locked), letting users customize their choices.

Why isn’t the consent UI showing on my site?

Check these: Ensure the plugin is enabled in System > Manage > Plugins. Clear browser cookies to simulate a first visit (no plg_system_eprivacy cookie). Confirm JavaScript isn’t blocked—check your browser’s dev tools console. If using a .plg_system_eprivacy_privacy link, verify the class name is correct (case-sensitive).

Can developers add custom consent options to the plugin?

Yes! The plugin’s API lets developers register consent options via Joomla’s script options system. For example, a plugin can define options like analytics_storage and link them to a JavaScript function (currently supports gtag()). See the Integration Interface section in the documentation for code examples.

Does this plugin store consent logs or track user choices?

Unlike the original, this version doesn’t store consent logs to keep things lightweight. It uses cookies to track user choices (plg_system_eprivacy and plugin-specific cookies) and triggers events (plg_system_eprivacy_accepted or plg_system_eprivacy_declined) for further integration.

Where can I get support or report issues?

Visit RicheyWeb.com for official support, documentation, and updates. For integration help or to request new features, contact the developer directly through the site. Always download the plugin from RicheyWeb.com to ensure authenticity.

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Why is this software free?

I’m ditching the freemium game and giving this software to the Joomla crowd for free. It’s a nod to “Jumla”—Swahili for “all together”—because fragmentation sucks, and I’d rather focus on innovation and paid gigs. Use it, build with it, and if you need custom work, I’m super into that.

What's The Catch?

There isn’t one! I’m all about building tools that empower the Joomla community and spark creativity. This software’s free because I’d rather see it in your hands - fueling awesome projects. If you really feel like paying something, I’d appreciate a review in the Joomla Extension Directory—your feedback means a lot!