What is the cmplz_policy_id cookie?
cmplz_policy_id is a technical cookie set by Complianz, a popular cookie consent plugin (CMP) mainly used on WordPress sites. It is created automatically by the Complianz script, not by the site's editorial content.
It appears as soon as a visitor loads a page where Complianz is active, regardless of whether optional cookie categories were accepted, because it relates to the banner's own operation rather than tracking.
What data it stores
The cookie stores an identifier (ID) for the current version of the cookie policy published on the site, generated and managed by Complianz. It does not contain personally identifiable data and is not used for profiling or advertising.
The value is read and written locally by the Complianz script in the visitor's browser; it is not sent to the vendor's external servers but stays associated with the domain running the plugin.
What it is used for
The cookie's purpose is to let the Complianz plugin compare the cookie policy version the visitor has already seen with the version currently published on the site.
If the site owner updates the policy (for example, adding new marketing services), Complianz can detect the mismatch and automatically reopen the consent banner, keeping the visitor's consent valid and documented in line with GDPR's requirement to keep users informed.
Does it require consent?
In CookieFix's classification, cmplz_policy_id falls under strictly necessary, since it directly supports the consent mechanism itself rather than tracking or marketing.
- Under Article 5 of the ePrivacy Directive (implemented in Romania via Law 506/2004), strictly necessary cookies do not require prior consent.
- Site owners must still disclose it in their cookie policy, with its actual purpose and duration.
- It should not be listed under the "statistics" or "marketing" categories in the consent banner.
How to block or delete cmplz_policy_id
A visitor can manually delete or block this cookie via browser settings (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari – site cookies and data section), but the consent banner may then reappear on every visit or fail to correctly detect policy updates.
For site owners not using Complianz but looking for an alternative CMP, a platform like CookieFix can automatically block scripts that aren't strictly necessary (statistics, marketing) until explicit consent is given, meeting ePrivacy and GDPR requirements without complex manual setup.
Frequently asked questions
It's a technical cookie set by the Complianz plugin to store the identifier of the cookie policy version shown to the visitor.
No, it's classified as strictly necessary because it supports the consent banner's operation, but it must still be disclosed in the site's cookie policy.
Its typical duration is 1 year, after which it's automatically reset on the next visit.
Complianz will no longer be able to compare the previously seen policy version with the current one, so the consent banner may reappear on the next visit.