Brave Open-Sources Cookiecrumbler to Combat Cookie Consent Pop-Ups with AI
Brave, the privacy-focused web browser, has open-sourced Cookiecrumbler, an AI-driven tool designed to detect and block cookie consent pop-ups automatically. This move invites developers and privacy advocates to collaborate in battling the constantly changing banners across websites.
Initially announced last year, Cookiecrumbler is still under active development and not yet ready for general users. Brave hopes the tool will enable large-scale, automated detection of new and evolving cookie banners.
A Smarter Way to Block Cookies
Brave has been blocking intrusive cookie consent notices for two years using "EasyList Cookie," a volunteer-maintained filter list. However, this method has its limitations. Generic filters sometimes break website functionality, like checkout systems or page layouts, because every website handle cookie banners differently.
To improve on this, Brave meticulously refined blocking lists to avoid causing website errors like broken scrolling or blank pages. Additionally, since Brave already blocks third-party tracking scripts and pixels by default, many cookie banners are redundant—even if users choose to reject all cookies.
How Cookiecrumbler Works
Cookiecrumbler tackles the cookie banner problem with site-specific, AI-enhanced precision. It uses open-source large language models (LLMs) to detect cookie pop-ups, including those in non-English languages, and suggests specific elements to block.
The tool operates by loading websites through a headless browser (Puppeteer), scanning them with regional proxies, identifying cookie notice elements, and passing them to an LLM for analysis. Suggested blocks are then reviewed by human maintainers before implementation.
Currently, Cookiecrumbler’s outputs are shared through a GitHub repository. Brave is also exploring the possibility of integrating the tool directly into its browser for smarter cookie detection, pending privacy reviews.
Since its introduction, Brave has improved Cookiecrumbler by reducing false positives, adding multilingual support, and expanding geographic coverage. Although it remains a work in progress, the tool marks a major step toward a more seamless, privacy-focused web experience.
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