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FunctionalConsent required

What is the sb Cookie?

Set by Facebook Messenger (Chat Plugin) (Meta Platforms, Inc.). Expires after 2 years.

Purpose

Browser identifier used by Facebook for security and anti-fraud purposes in the Messenger plugin.

Cookie Details

Cookie Namesb
ServiceFacebook Messenger (Chat Plugin)
ProviderMeta Platforms, Inc.
CategoryFunctional
Duration2 years
Consent RequiredYes — requires explicit opt-in

Category: Functional

Functional cookies enhance the website's functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third-party providers. Consent is required under GDPR.

GDPR Requirements

Under GDPR and the ePrivacy Directive, the sb cookie requires explicit user consent before it can be set. This means:

  • The cookie must not be set when a user first visits your site — not even for a fraction of a second
  • A consent banner must be displayed, and the user must actively accept analytics/marketing cookies
  • If the user rejects or ignores the banner, this cookie must remain blocked
  • The cookie must be listed in your cookie policy with its name, purpose, and retention period
  • Users must be able to withdraw consent at any time, which must also remove or invalidate this cookie

How to Handle This Cookie

  1. Block it by default — configure your Consent Management Platform (CMP) or tag manager to prevent Facebook Messenger (Chat Plugin) from loading until the user accepts functional cookies.
  2. Include it in your consent categories — map it to the "Functional" category in your CMP configuration.
  3. List it in your cookie policy — document the cookie name, purpose, provider (Meta Platforms, Inc.), and expiry (2 years).
  4. Sign a DPA — ensure you have a Data Processing Agreement with Meta Platforms, Inc. covering their use of data collected via this cookie.
  5. Verify it works — in an incognito browser, reject cookies and confirm sb is not set.

Other Facebook Messenger (Chat Plugin) Cookies

CookieCategoryDuration
xsFunctional90 days
c_userFunctional90 days
datrMarketing / Advertising2 years

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