I was going to dismiss this because
- we know already
- looking at the rest of the world through US-shaded glasses
but this quote rocks:
Blaming GDPR for the cookie banner is like blaming the health inspector for the roaches. The banner is deliberate vandalism, a dark pattern engineered to exhaust you before you can learn anything about the surveillance apparatus humming behind the "OK."
Cookie banners are malicious compliance*.
What follows is just as quote-worthy, e.g.:
On May 25th, 2018, GDPR took effect to the sound of American commentary, the way fireworks take effect to the sound of dogs.
* edit: he says that himself later. I like this guy.