# Microsoft UET Consent Mode Setup – Secure Privacy Guide > Enable Microsoft UET Consent Mode with Secure Privacy to meet GDPR requirements. Control ad_storage, manage cookie consent, and stay compliant with Microsoft Advertising. - Canonical: https://support.secureprivacy.ai/article/implementing-microsoft-consent-mode-with-secure-privacy - Product: Consent Management - Category: Integrations - Published: 2026-03-06T12:42:00+00:00 - Updated: 2026-03-24T22:59:23.687+00:00 - Reading time: 3 minutes --- Microsoft is updating its [Microsoft Advertising Platform (MAP)](https://ads.microsoft.com/) to align with evolving data protection laws, including GDPR. Websites using MAP must now obtain explicit consent from users before using first- and third-party cookies for advertising and tracking. Personal data is only collected through MAP if the website visitor has specifically agreed to it. If you use MAP on your website, these updates are essential for maintaining compliance. Microsoft Consent Mode, working together with [Universal Event Tracking (UET)](https://about.ads.microsoft.com/en/tools/performance/conversion-tracking), helps businesses respect user privacy while still gathering valuable data for their advertising campaigns. It is designed to comply with data protection regulations such as GDPR and similar laws worldwide — and is compatible with Microsoft Consent Mode v2 requirements. ### Key Features of Microsoft UET Consent Mode - **Tailoring data collection:** Adjust how UET tracks website visitors based on whether they have given their consent. - **Controlling cookie access:** The _ad\_storage_ setting lets you manage how cookies are used, ensuring they are only activated when the user has permitted it. - **Collecting limited anonymous data:** Even when a user does not fully consent, you can still gather anonymized information to better understand your ad performance without violating privacy rules. ## Who Is This For? This guide is for website owners, developers, and digital marketers who use the Microsoft Advertising Platform (MAP) with Universal Event Tracking (UET) and want to ensure their implementation is compliant with GDPR and other data privacy regulations. It is particularly relevant if you use a Consent Management Platform (CMP) like Secure Privacy. ## How Microsoft UET Consent Mode Works (Technical Implementation) Consent Mode is configured via a property in UET called _ad\_storage_. Unlike Google Consent Mode — which uses a JavaScript array called _dataLayer_ on the window object — Microsoft UET Consent Mode uses a JavaScript array called _uetq_ on the window object. The possible values for _ad\_storage_ are:

Value for ad_storage

Description

granted

First-party and third-party cookies may be read and written for UET. If no default is set, UET uses granted by default.

denied

First-party cookies are not read or written for UET. Third-party cookies are not written. Third-party cookies are read-only for fraud and spam prevention — not for advertising purposes.

Secure Privacy sets a default value for _ad\_storage_ on each page load, _before_ consent is captured. For the EU and countries with stricter data privacy laws such as GDPR, Secure Privacy sets _ad\_storage_ to **denied** by default. For countries with less strict regulations, such as most US states, Secure Privacy sets _ad\_storage_ to **granted** by default. ## How to Enable Microsoft UET Consent Mode with Secure Privacy To activate Microsoft UET Consent Mode through your Secure Privacy dashboard, follow these steps: 1. **Navigate to Domain Settings:** Log in to your Secure Privacy dashboard and go to **Domain Settings**. 2. **Access the Advanced Tab:** Inside Domain Settings, click on the **Advanced** tab. 3. **Enable the Microsoft Consent Mode Toggle:** Within the Advanced tab, find the toggle for **Microsoft Consent Mode** and switch it on. You're all set! ![Secure Privacy dashboard showing the Microsoft UET Consent Mode toggle enabled in the Advanced tab of Domain Settings](https://pub-7bd19505838640d0a08ef1bd6ec3fb9b.r2.dev/articles/ab52745ffb6c033d0666-0be1ad894648.webp) ## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) ### What is Microsoft UET Consent Mode? Microsoft UET Consent Mode is a feature of Universal Event Tracking (UET) that allows website owners to control whether cookies are set based on a visitor's consent status. It helps businesses stay compliant with GDPR and other data privacy regulations while continuing to use Microsoft Advertising. ### Is Microsoft Consent Mode the same as Google Consent Mode? They work similarly, but Microsoft Consent Mode uses a JavaScript array called _uetq_ on the window object, whereas Google Consent Mode uses _dataLayer_. Both are designed to respect user consent before setting advertising cookies. ### What happens if a user denies consent? If a user denies consent, _ad\_storage_ is set to **denied**. First-party cookies will not be read or written, and third-party cookies will only be used in a limited read-only capacity for fraud and spam prevention — not for advertising. ### Does Secure Privacy support Microsoft Consent Mode v2? Yes. Secure Privacy's integration with Microsoft UET Consent Mode is designed to support current Microsoft Advertising compliance requirements, including the expectations of Microsoft Consent Mode v2.