GDPR for Shopify: What Store Owners Need to Know in 2025

If you run a Shopify store and have visitors from the European Union, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) applies to you — even if your business is based elsewhere.

This article breaks down what GDPR means for Shopify stores in 2025, and what steps you need to take to stay compliant — without slowing down your sales.

How Shopify Handles GDPR (and Where It Falls Short)

Shopify offers built-in tools for handling data access and deletion requests, and allows app developers to respond to those requests via APIs.

However, Shopify does not automatically manage consent collection for things like:

• Marketing pixels (Meta, TikTok, Google)
• Analytics tools
• Third-party scripts
• Advertising cookies

That’s where a Consent Management Platform (CMP) comes in.

Key GDPR Requirements for Shopify Stores

Here’s what you’re expected to do to be GDPR-compliant:

✅ Obtain valid consent before tracking
You must ask for and receive consent before setting non-essential cookies (like analytics or ad pixels).

✅ Inform users clearly
Let users know what data you collect, for what purpose, and who it’s shared with (in a transparent privacy and cookie policy).

✅ Allow users to withdraw or change consent
You must offer an easy way for visitors to change their preferences — not just a one-time choice.

✅ Respect user rights
This includes the right to access, correct, delete, or export their data.

✅ Maintain consent logs
You should keep records showing when and how each user gave consent — especially for audits.

What Counts as Personal Data on Shopify?

Under GDPR, personal data includes much more than names or emails. On Shopify, this may include:

• IP addresses
• Device IDs
• Behavior tracked via marketing apps
• Checkout or cart tracking cookies
• Location info
• User-agent strings

Even a simple remarketing pixel that tracks visitors can trigger GDPR obligations.

How to Make Your Shopify Store GDPR-Compliant in 5 Steps

1. Audit Your Store
   Identify all tracking tools, apps, and scripts that collect personal data.
2. Use a CMP (Consent Management Platform)
   Implement a GDPR-compliant consent banner that:
   • Blocks cookies before consent
   • Offers opt-in/opt-out options
   • Lets users adjust preferences
   • Works on all pages and devices
     (Example: Flexy Consent for Shopify)
3. Update Your Privacy & Cookie Policy
   Include detailed explanations about what data you collect and how it’s used. Link these clearly in the consent banner.
4. Enable GDPR Request Handling
   Use Shopify’s customer privacy tools and ensure you’re ready to respond to deletion or access requests.
5. Keep Records of Consent
   Your CMP should store detailed logs of consent decisions with timestamps and user identifiers.

ommon Mistakes Shopify Merchants Make

🚫 Assuming a cookie banner alone is enough
If it doesn’t block scripts or store consent logs, it’s not GDPR-compliant.

🚫 Tracking users before consent is given
Many apps start collecting data as soon as the page loads — this is illegal in the EU without prior opt-in.

🚫 Hiding or burying cookie settings
The user must have a genuine choice — no “dark patterns” or forced consent.

Do I Need to Show the Banner to Everyone?

You only have to show the consent banner to visitors from the EU and UK, but many store owners choose to show it globally to simplify compliance or future-proof their business.

A good CMP (like Flexy Consent) lets you target consent by region, so it only appears where required.

Final Thoughts — GDPR Isn’t Optional in 2025

If you’re selling products, running ads, or collecting analytics from EU users, GDPR compliance is a legal requirement — not a suggestion.

Fortunately, tools like Flexy Consent make compliance easier by:

• Automatically showing consent banners based on region
• Blocking non-essential cookies until consent is given
• Passing valid consent strings to Google, Meta, and more
• Logging every action in a secure audit trail