GDPR Consent Copy & Preference Center Usability Study

Welcome! This short study (approximately 5–7 minutes) asks for your opinions about a consent message and preference center controls. Your participation is entirely voluntary and you may stop at any time. Your responses are confidential and will be reported only in aggregate—no individual answers will be identified. There are no right or wrong answers; we are simply interested in your honest opinions. Please read each item carefully and respond based on your genuine reactions.

When did you last adjust privacy or notification preferences in any app or website?

• Within the last week
• Within the last month
• Within the last 3 months
• More than 3 months ago
• Never / Not sure

<p>Imagine you open an app's preference center and see the following consent text. Please read both versions carefully before answering the questions that follow.</p><p><strong>Version A:</strong></p><p>"We use your data to personalize content and improve the app. This includes pages you view, items you buy, device type, and your approximate city-level location. We do not collect precise GPS, your contacts, or payment card numbers. You can change choices anytime. Essential uses for security and functionality can't be turned off. See details."</p><p><strong>Version B:</strong></p><p>"With your permission, we and our partners use cookies and similar technologies to understand how you use our app and to offer relevant content. Data include device info, pages visited, purchases, and your city-level location. You can opt out of non-essential uses. Essential uses for security and service cannot be turned off. Learn more."</p>

According to the consent text you just read, which kinds of data are collected? (Select all that apply.)

• Pages viewed
• Purchases / items you buy
• Device type
• City-level location
• Precise GPS location
• Your contacts
• Payment card numbers

Which version feels more transparent to you overall? (Select one.)

• Version A
• Version B
• About the same
• Not sure

Thinking about the consent text overall, please rate your agreement: "The consent message was easy to understand."

Which control pattern would you most prefer in a preference center? (Select one.)

• Accept all / Reject all with a link to more options
• Granular toggles by purpose (e.g., analytics, ads, personalization)
• Granular toggles by data type (e.g., location, purchase history)
• Single slider from less to more personalization
• Not sure

What, if anything, would you change about the consent message to make it clearer or more trustworthy? If any specific word or phrase felt confusing, please mention it.

What is your age?

• Under 18
• 18–24
• 25–34
• 35–44
• 45–54
• 55–64
• 65+
• Prefer not to say

Thank you for your time! Your feedback will help improve clarity and user control in privacy experiences.

According to the consent text, which uses cannot be turned off? (Select one.)

• Essential uses for security / service
• Advertising
• Analytics
• Email marketing
• Not sure

"The consent message made me feel in control of my data."

Please rank the following elements by how much they improve your trust in a consent message (drag the most helpful to the top). You only need to rank your top 3.

1. Plain, simple wording
2. Specific examples of data collected
3. Clear reasons for each use
4. Granular on/off toggles
5. Ability to revisit and change choices
6. Independent audits or certifications mentioned

We'd like to explore your thoughts about consent messages and preference controls in a bit more depth. An AI moderator will ask you a couple of follow-up questions based on your earlier answers.

In which region do you currently live?

• Europe (EU/EEA)
• Europe (non-EU/EEA, e.g., UK, Switzerland)
• North America
• Asia
• Africa
• Oceania
• South America
• Prefer not to say

"I felt comfortable with the types of data described as being collected."

Based on your responses in this survey, please share any additional thoughts or feelings about consent messages or privacy preference center experiences.

What type of device do you primarily use for apps?

• Android phone/tablet
• iPhone/iPad (iOS/iPadOS)
• Windows computer
• Mac (macOS)
• Other
• Prefer not to say

"The consent message felt honest and trustworthy."

What is your gender? (Optional)

• Woman
• Man
• Non-binary
• Another identity
• Prefer not to say

How likely would you be to accept the consent as shown?