Integrating IAB TCF 2.2 with Your Website Using TRUENDO Consent Management Platform

Introduction#

The IAB Transparency and Consent Framework (TCF) Version 2.2 is the latest standard designed to help publishers, advertisers, and technology providers comply with data protection regulations like the GDPR and the ePrivacy Directive. By integrating the IAB TCF 2.2 with your website using the TRUENDO Consent Management Platform (CMP), you ensure that user consent is properly managed and communicated to your advertising partners.

Note: The IAB TCF integration is available to Standard and above users of TRUENDO and is not supported by the Basic package.

1. Prerequisites#

Before you begin, ensure you have the following:

TRUENDO Standard/Plus/Ultimate Account: Access to the features that support IAB TCF integration.
Access to TRUENDO Console: Ability to log in and configure your project.
Knowledge of Your Website's Codebase: Ability to edit HTML and script files.
List of IAB and Google Ad Vendors: The services (vendors) you intend to include.

2. Enabling IAB TCF 2.2 in TRUENDO CMP#

To integrate the IAB TCF CMP with your website, you need to enable IAB TCF 2.2 in your TRUENDO CMP settings.

Log In to TRUENDO Console:
- Navigate to https://console.truendo.com/ and log in with your credentials.
Select Your Project:
- Choose the relevant Organization and Domain from the dropdown menus at the top of the TRUENDO Console.
Navigate to the Banner Section:
- In the left-hand sidebar, click on "Banner" to access banner settings.
Scroll to Advanced Settings:
- Scroll down to find the "Advanced" section and click on it to expand the settings.

B. Enable IAB TCF 2.2

Locate IAB TCF V2 Settings:
- Find the section titled "IAB TCF V2 Settings".
Enable IAB TCF 2.2:
- Click on the field labeled "Disabled" next to IAB TCF V2 Settings.
- A popup window will appear.
Switch the Toggle:
- In the popup, switch the toggle to "Enabled".
Select Your Country:
- Choose your country from the dropdown menu to ensure compliance with local regulations.
Save Your Settings:
- Click "Save" to confirm your choices.

C. IAB and SmartGeo

If you are making use of TRUENDO's SmartGeo functionality then it is very important to Enable IAB TCF for every geo location that requires it. You will need to follow the above steps for every relevant geo region you have activated.

For more info on SmartGeo click here.

3. Adding IAB and Google Ad Vendors (Services)#

A. Understanding Services in TRUENDO

In TRUENDO, Services refer to what the IAB terms Vendors.
This terminology is used to distinguish from standard vendors that provide services like Microsoft or Google (e.g., Google Maps).

B. Adding Services to Your Project

Navigate to the Services Section:
- In the left-hand sidebar, click on "Services".
Select the Correct Revision:
- If you have no pending services, click on "ADD SERVICE".
- If you have existing services, use the "Revisions" dropdown at the top to select "DRAFT" mode. This allows you to add new services before publishing.
Add a New Service:
- Click the "ADD SERVICE" button.
Choose the Service Type:
- In the popup window, select either "IAB" or "GOOGLE ADS" depending on the type of service you wish to add.
Select the Service Name:
- Click on the field labeled "Service Name".
- You can either scroll through the list or type a few letters of the service name to search.
- Select the service you wish to add.
Add the Service:
- Click "ADD SERVICE" to add it to your project.
Repeat as Necessary:
- Repeat steps 3 to 6 for each service you wish to include.
Publish Your Changes:
- Once you have added all desired services, click the "Publish" button to apply the changes to your active site.
Verify Active Services:
- Use the "Revisions" dropdown and select "ACTIVE" to view all services currently added to TRUENDO for your website.

Note:

It's important to ensure that you have the necessary legal agreements with the vendors you include, as per IAB TCF requirements.

4. Integrating the IAB TCF CMP Script into Your Website#

To complete the integration, you need to insert the IAB TCF CMP script into your website's code.

A. Insert the IAB TCF Stub Script

Copy the IAB TCF Script:

Use the following script:


<!--   IAB TCF CMP from TRUENDO   -->
<script src="https://cdn.priv.center/pc/assets/scripts/stub.js"></script>
<!-- End of IAB TCF -->

Paste into Your Website's Head Section:
- Insert the script at the very top of the <head> section of your HTML page.

B. Ensure Correct Script Placement

Important:
- The IAB TCF script must be the first script in the <head> section.
- This is an IAB TCF requirement to ensure that consent signals are properly communicated before any other scripts load.

Example of Correct Script Placement:


<html>
<head>
  <!--   IAB TCF CMP from TRUENDO   -->
  <script src="https://cdn.priv.center/pc/assets/scripts/stub.js"></script>
  <!-- End of IAB TCF -->

  <!-- TRUENDO Privacy Center -->
  <script id="truendoAutoBlock" type="text/javascript" src="https://cdn-geo.priv.center/"YOUR SITE ID"></script>
  <!-- End TRUENDO Privacy Center -->

  <!-- Other <script>...</script> -->
</head>
<body>
  <!-- Your website content -->
</body>
</html>

Replace YOUR_SITE_ID with the actual Site ID provided by TRUENDO.

5. Verifying the Integration#

To ensure that the IAB TCF 2.2 integration is functioning correctly:

Clear Browser Cache and Cookies:
- This ensures that previous consent states do not interfere with testing.
Access Your Website:
- Open your website in a browser.
Check for Consent Banner:
- The TRUENDO consent banner should appear, reflecting the IAB TCF integration.
Inspect Consent Signals:
- Use browser developer tools to check that the Transparency and Consent String (TC String) is being generated and stored.
- Ensure that the __tcfapi function is available globally.
Test Vendor Consent:
- Interact with the consent banner to provide or withhold consent for specific vendors.
- Verify that your choices are respected by the advertising vendors integrated on your site.
Check for Errors:
- Monitor the browser console for any JavaScript errors related to TRUENDO CMP or IAB TCF.

6. Additional Considerations#

Stay Updated with IAB TCF Changes:
- The IAB TCF may have specific requirements or updates in version 2.2. Ensure you consult the official IAB documentation for any new features or compliance requirements introduced in this version.
Legal Compliance:
- Ensure that you comply with all legal requirements when integrating IAB TCF, including having proper agreements with vendors.
Vendor List Updates:
- Regularly update your list of vendors (services) in TRUENDO to keep up with changes in your advertising partners.
Consent Synchronization:
- If you have multiple CMPs or consent mechanisms, ensure that they are synchronized to prevent conflicting consent signals.
Testing Across Browsers and Devices:
- Test the integration on different browsers and devices to ensure compatibility.
Data Privacy Officer Consultation:
- Consult with your Data Privacy Officer or legal team to ensure that your implementation meets all regulatory requirements.

7. Conclusion#

By following this guide, you have successfully integrated the IAB TCF 2.2 with your website using TRUENDO CMP. This integration helps you:

Comply with GDPR and ePrivacy Directive: Manage user consent in line with legal requirements.
Enhance Transparency: Provide clear information to users about data processing activities.
Facilitate Advertising Partnerships: Communicate consent signals to your advertising vendors effectively.

8. Support and Resources#

TRUENDO Support:
- Website: https://www.truendo.com/
- Email: support@truendo.com
IAB Europe:
- IAB TCF Information: https://iabeurope.eu/transparency-consent-framework/
- Vendor List: Access the Global Vendor List (GVL) to review participating vendors.
Regulatory References:
- GDPR Text: https://gdpr-info.eu/
- ePrivacy Directive: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX:32002L0058

End of Guide