[docmars]

I think I'd rather see cookie notices handled by a browser API with a common UI, where the default is always "No." Provide that common UI in a popover accessed in the address bar, or a side pane in the browser itself.

If a user logs in or does something requiring cookies that would otherwise prevent normal functionality, prompt them with a Permissions box if they haven't already accepted it in the usual (optional) UI.

[kalaksi]

Cookies for normal functionality don't require consent anyway.

But yes, I think just about everybody would like the UX you described. But the entities that track you don't want to make it that easy. You probably know of the do-not-track header too.

[YetAnotherNick]

There isn't any way EU didn't knew this was possible and is a better choice. There already was DNT header that they can regulate. It also knew the harm to ad industry.

[Fraaaank]

There isn't any rule that requires websites to use a cookie banner. Your required to obtain explicit consent before reading/setting any cookies that aren't strictly necessary. The web came up with the cookie banner.

Google could've implemented a consent API in Chrome, but they didn't. Guess why.