Latvian LISS
Electronic Communications Law (ECL) + Law on Information Society Services (LISS)
Key Facts
Effective Date
January 1, 2004
Enacted
January 1, 2004
Enforcing Authority
DVI (Datu valsts inspekcija — Data State Inspectorate)
Consent Model
Opt-in
Applies To
Any entity storing or accessing information on terminal equipment of users in Latvia
Overview
Latvia implements the ePrivacy Directive through the Law on Information Society Services (LISS), with enforcement by the DVI (Data State Inspectorate). A 2021 preventive audit of Latvia's 26 largest e-merchants found every single one in violation of at least one cookie requirement.
What This Means for Your Website
- Express prior consent is required before placing any non-essential cookies on Latvian visitors
- Clear and comprehensive information about cookie purposes must be provided
- Only cookies necessary for requested services or network transmission are exempt
- The DVI has demonstrated willingness to audit and fine for cookie non-compliance
Key Requirements
The LISS includes an express requirement for "prior" consent before cookie placement. The DVI conducted a major preventive audit of 29 websites in 2021, finding all 26 e-merchants in violation. In 2020, the DVI imposed a EUR 15,000 fine on HH Invest for cookie violations. Comprehensive cookie guidelines were published in April 2022. GDPR penalties also apply.
How ConsentStack Handles This
ConsentStack ensures Latvian visitors receive an opt-in consent banner that satisfies the LISS's express prior consent requirement. All non-essential cookies are blocked until the visitor actively consents.
Penalties
Fines for cookie violations (EUR 15,000 imposed in notable 2020 case). GDPR penalties also apply (up to EUR 20 million / 4% global turnover).
Key Requirements
- Prior consent before placing cookies — express prior requirement
- Clear and comprehensive information about cookie purposes
- Strictly necessary exemption for requested services or network transmission
- Consent must meet GDPR standards
- Adequate opt-out mechanism required
Notable Provisions
- 2021 audit: all 26 major e-commerce websites found non-compliant
- EUR 15,000 fine imposed on HH Invest for cookie violations in 2020
- DVI published cookie guidelines in April 2022
Other ePrivacy Directive Related Regulations
FDPAFrance
France has the most actively enforced cookie regime in Europe. CNIL issued 259 corrective decisions in 2025, with cookie-specific fines totaling EUR 486.8 million including EUR 325M against Google. A Refuse all button or Continue without accepting must appear on the first layer.SI 336/2011Ireland
Ireland implements the ePrivacy Directive through SI 336/2011. The DPC is the lead supervisory authority for major tech companies headquartered in Ireland including Meta, Google, Apple, and Microsoft. Uniquely, cookie consent is limited to 6 months and must then be refreshed.TDDDGGermany
Germany implements the ePrivacy Directive through Section 25 of TDDDG (renamed from TTDSG in May 2024). A Consent Management Ordinance (EinwV) became effective April 2025, establishing a voluntary framework for recognized consent management services. Cookie banners must not obscure website content.Dutch Telecom ActNetherlands
The Netherlands implements the ePrivacy Directive through Article 11.7a of the Telecommunications Act. The AP launched a major enforcement sweep in April 2025, warning 50 organizations for misleading cookie banners or placing tracking cookies without consent. Cookie walls are not permitted.Italian Privacy CodeItaly
Italy implements the ePrivacy Directive through Article 122 of the Privacy Code with detailed Garante cookie guidelines effective January 2022. Only technically necessary cookies may load by default. Scrolling is not valid consent, and closing a banner with "X" closes it without granting consent.LSSISpain
Spain implements the ePrivacy Directive through Article 22 of the LSSI. Cookie violations are classified as slight offenses with EUR 30,000 fines per URL, but multiple URLs multiply penalties. AEPD allows consent-exempt analytics under privacy-friendly configurations, similar to CNIL.Danish Cookie OrderDenmark
Denmark implements the ePrivacy Directive through the Cookie Order (Cookiebekendtgørelsen), administered by the Danish Business Authority. Cookie consent is a declared 2026 enforcement priority for Datatilsynet, which will examine whether Danish websites give users a genuine choice.Portuguese ePrivacy LawPortugal
Portugal implements the ePrivacy Directive through Law 41/2004, with a distinctive tiered penalty structure distinguishing between large companies, SMEs, and natural persons. The CNPD issued 90 fines totaling EUR 559,950 in 2023, demonstrating active enforcement.Polish Telecommunications LawPoland
Poland implements the ePrivacy Directive through Articles 173-174 of the Telecommunications Law. While Article 173(2) technically permits consent via browser settings, PUODO recommends active consent. Since 2019, Article 174 requires cookie consent to meet full GDPR standards.Norwegian E-Com ActNorway
Norway's January 2025 amendment to Ekomloven marked a major shift from tolerating passive consent to strict opt-in. Pre-ticked boxes and browser settings are now explicitly invalid. Accept and reject options must have equal prominence. Datatilsynet sanctioned 6 websites for tracking pixel violations.Belgian E-Communications ActBelgium
Belgium enforces strict cookie consent with one of the EU's most active DPAs. Cookie walls are prohibited, and a Reject all button must appear on the first layer with equal prominence to Accept all. Dark patterns in cookie banners are actively enforced against.LEKSweden
Sweden implements the ePrivacy Directive through Chapter 9 Section 28 of LEK. In April 2025, IMY issued a landmark reprimand against Aller Media for dark patterns in cookie banners. Less than 25% of Swedish users accept cookies, reflecting strong privacy awareness.Other Europe Regulations
GDPREuropean Union + EEA
The GDPR sets the global standard for data protection, requiring explicit opt-in consent before processing personal data of EU/EEA residents. For websites, non-essential cookies must be blocked until visitors actively consent. Pre-ticked boxes and implied consent are invalid.PECRUnited Kingdom
PECR is the UK's cookie-specific law, requiring consent before storing or accessing cookies. The DUAA 2025 significantly increased penalties from GBP 500,000 to GBP 17.5 million and introduced analytics exceptions on an opt-out basis. Only strictly necessary cookies are exempt.ePrivacy DirectiveEuropean Union + EEA
Article 5(3) of the ePrivacy Directive is the primary EU legal basis requiring cookie consent. It mandates prior informed consent before storing or accessing any information on a user's device, with narrow exceptions only for transmission necessity and explicitly requested services.FDPAFrance
France has the most actively enforced cookie regime in Europe. CNIL issued 259 corrective decisions in 2025, with cookie-specific fines totaling EUR 486.8 million including EUR 325M against Google. A Refuse all button or Continue without accepting must appear on the first layer.UK GDPRUnited Kingdom
The UK GDPR is the retained EU GDPR post-Brexit, with consent standards identical to the EU version. The UK adequacy decision was renewed December 2025, valid until December 2031. Combined with PECR, it forms the legal framework for cookie consent in the UK.TDDDGGermany
Germany implements the ePrivacy Directive through Section 25 of TDDDG (renamed from TTDSG in May 2024). A Consent Management Ordinance (EinwV) became effective April 2025, establishing a voluntary framework for recognized consent management services. Cookie banners must not obscure website content.Frequently Asked Questions
Does Latvia require cookie consent?
Yes. Latvia requires express prior consent before placing non-essential cookies under the LISS. ConsentStack handles this automatically for Latvian visitors.
How compliant are Latvian websites with cookie laws?
A 2021 DVI audit found all 26 major Latvian e-merchants in violation of at least one cookie requirement, suggesting widespread non-compliance across the market.
What are the cookie penalties in Latvia?
The DVI has imposed fines of EUR 15,000 for cookie violations. GDPR penalties of up to EUR 20 million or 4% of global turnover also apply.
Stay compliant with Latvian LISS
ConsentStack helps you implement Opt-in consent for Latvia automatically.