How LightBeam Enables Scalable Consent Management Across Systems

Con·sent /kənˈsent/ – A noun, meaning “To give permission for something to happen or agreement to do something.” 

This traditional meaning of the term consent was adopted in the privacy community as a core privacy principle related to the use of personal information. As a privacy principle, consent generally means that individuals have given their permission to process their personal and online information in exchange for some goods or services. While this type of agreement is still in effect today, the “how” consent is provided has changed in recent years. 

In older or less restrictive laws, consent could be inferred or implied by companies based on a user’s behavior that indicated permission had been given. For example, browsing a website after receiving a notice that cookies are being used could be interpreted as implied consent. Providing a business card at a trade show is interpreted as providing consent to receive marketing materials. 

Under more modern privacy laws like the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) higher standards are required. In the GDPR, consent must be explicit and given by a clear affirmative action. This means the data subject must take action to provide consent. Consent by inactivity or pre-checked boxes to imply consent is not allowed. There must be an opt-in action the user takes. Consent cannot be Implied if an opt-out box is checked and the user takes no action. 

For online collection, the GDPR requires that websites obtain informed and explicit consent before placing non-essential cookies—such as those used for tracking, analytics, or advertising—on a user’s device. This ensures transparency in data practices and supports individuals’ rights to privacy and data protection. 

There are additional conditions to be considered on how explicit consent is collected and managed.

• Explicit consent is needed when;

  – The collection of personal information is from minors. 

  – The collection of information considered to be sensitive or of special categories.

  – International transfer of personal information 

  – Processes involving automated decision making

When providing consent over the use of their personal information, data subjects also have the right to revoke consent at any time for any reason. Therefore the ability to maintain a current status and revoke consent must be considered. Businesses that rely on consent as a legal basis when using personal information must develop internal processes and systems to demonstrate that valid consent has been collected and is being managed.

What Is Consent Management?

Consent management includes the processes and systems that allow individuals to decide what personal information they are willing to share with a business or organization. It involves obtaining explicit permission from users before collecting or using their data, as well as providing them with the ability to manage their consent preferences. Businesses with multiple programs must be able to document consent for each of the programs consented to. 

There are several components required to maintain current consent status for any particular population. These include;

– A collection template

– The ability to distinguish individual identities

– A repository to maintain consent status

– The ability for an individual to revoke consent 

Based on specific programs, businesses may need to maintain multiple consent statuses for an individual. Each of these may require a unique collection template with language appropriate to the program that consent is being provided for. In cases where identity verification is required, the business should be collecting information that is already in its possession. This allows for matching and positive identification. A database or other type of data management system that can accuratly maintain consent status and accept changes allows for easy management of consent.

How LightBeam Enables Scalable Consent Management Across Systems

The Consent Management module in the LightBeam platform is designed to provide a centralized repository for user consents. Within the Privacy Operations dashboard, users can access a dedicated consent management tab. This tab offers a comprehensive view of all given or revoked consents, organized in a chronological consent log. The timeline-based interface facilitates easy tracking and understanding of consent history.  

Cookie Consent Made Easy with Google Tag Manager + LightBeam Integration

The LightBeam integration with Google Tag Manager (GTM) lets teams deploy the Cookie Consent module directly through GTM’s template gallery. It includes pre-built tag templates, consent-category triggers, and real-time transmission of consent states, across Essential, Performance & Functionality, Analytics & Customization, Advertising, Social Networking, and more, to the LightBeam platform for a unified consent audit trail and downstream privacy workflows.

LightBeam syncs all consent preferences in its Preference Center, providing a detailed portrait of consent details including:

– Preferences regarding consent – opt in or opt out subscription choices

– Data sources for those consents – CRM Systems, Databases or any remote data source

– Total opt Ins

– Total opt Outs

LightBeam integrates with other systems like Hubspot or CRM Systems to create consent records and sources of consent to arrange user related consent preferences. The LightBeam consent management module is an easy-to-navigate, one-click access dashboard containing user consent preferences, consent logs etc.LightBeam makes managing consent across the enterprise an easy automated process. 

FAQ Section

1. What is consent management and why is it important?
Consent management allows individuals to control how their personal data is collected and used. It’s essential for complying with privacy laws like GDPR, enabling users to opt in or revoke data usage permissions.

2. How does GDPR define valid user consent?
Under GDPR, consent must be explicit, informed, and given via a clear affirmative action—pre-checked boxes or inactivity no longer qualify as valid consent.

3. What are key components of an effective consent management system?
An effective system includes a consent collection template, identity resolution, a consent repository, and the ability to manage/revoke consents over time.

4. How does LightBeam support cookie consent collection?
LightBeam integrates with Google Tag Manager (along with other methods) to deploy cookie banners, categorize consent types, and sync real-time preferences into a centralized audit log.

5. Can LightBeam integrate with CRM systems to manage consent preferences?
Yes, LightBeam connects with platforms like HubSpot and other CRMs to track opt-ins, opt-outs, and data sources across marketing and operational systems.