IAB TCF 2.3

Key facts about IAB TCF 2.3

• Framework name: Transparency and Consent Framework
• Developed by: IAB Europe
• Version: 2.3
• Mandatory adoption: February 28th 2026 for certified CMPs and vendors
• Purpose: Standardize how consent signals are shared in digital advertising
• Used by: Publishers, ad networks, and Consent Management Platforms (CMPs)
• Key change: Updated requirements for consent signaling and vendor disclosures

What is IAB TCF 2.3?

IAB TCF 2.3 is the latest version of the Transparency and Consent Framework (TCF) created by IAB Europe.

The framework provides a standardized way for websites, advertisers, and technology vendors to communicate a visitor’s consent preferences when personal data is used for advertising, analytics, or measurement.

Consent signals collected through a Consent Management Platform (CMP) are encoded into a standardized consent string that can be interpreted by participating advertising partners across the programmatic advertising ecosystem.

IAB TCF meaning

The Transparency and Consent Framework (TCF) is designed to help digital advertising participants comply with privacy regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

When a visitor interacts with a consent banner that supports the framework, their preferences regarding data processing purposes and vendors are recorded and transmitted to advertising platforms.

These signals allow participating vendors to determine whether certain advertising activities can occur, such as:

• personalized advertising
• audience measurement
• ad performance analytics
• content personalization

What changed in IAB TCF 2.3?

Version 2.3 builds on the previous TCF 2.2 framework and introduces additional clarifications and requirements related to consent transparency.

Key updates include:

• improved communication of consent signals between CMPs and vendors
• updated requirements for vendor disclosure and transparency
• refinements to consent string handling across advertising systems

The update reflects ongoing adjustments within the digital advertising industry as privacy regulations and enforcement expectations evolve.

For details about the earlier framework, see our glossary page on IAB TCF 2.2.

IAB TCF and consent management platforms

Consent Management Platforms (CMPs) play a central role in implementing the framework.

CMPs collect user preferences through consent banners and translate those choices into signals that advertising vendors can interpret.

These signals can affect how advertising technologies operate, including:

• programmatic ad delivery
• retargeting technologies
• audience measurement systems
• advertising attribution tools

Organizations using advertising platforms often rely on CMP integrations to manage consent signals across multiple technologies.

Why IAB TCF matters for websites using advertising technologies

Many websites use advertising platforms such as Google Ads, Meta Pixel, and other ad technologies to measure performance or run targeted campaigns.

When these tools process personal data, privacy regulations may require transparency and consent mechanisms.

Frameworks such as IAB TCF provide a standardized way to communicate those consent preferences across the advertising ecosystem.

IAB TCF 2.3 vs IAB TCF 2.2