[pgeorgi]

The EU doesn't tend to require specific implementations - the banners aren't a required implementation, either. It's just what the advertisers thought works best to get their desired outcome.

There was the DNT header. Few sites acknowledge it (and thanks to those who do!), and when Microsoft went against spec by setting it default-on in their browser, advertisers whined that they can't see informed consent anymore and just shut down the whole initiative. Note: Microsoft is also in the advertising business, so if you're into that, that might be another angle for your favorite conspiracy theories.

Finally, there's consent-o-matic, available as browser extension for various browsers, and it lets you state your preferences. https://consentomatic.au.dk/ Would it have been better to integrate that into browsers properly? Sure. But the social and economical dynamics being what they are, this is probably the best we can get.