> Is AdFox by Yandex GDPR compliant for European websites? Cookies, consent, Russia transfers, Schrems II risks and best practices. > > Canonical: https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/advertising/adfox Advertising # AdFox Marketing · [Official website](https://adfox.yandex.ru) AdFox is the Yandex ad server platform, used by Russian and CIS publishers to manage and serve display, video, and native advertising via JavaScript tags and third party cookies. [Block AdFox until consent](https://app.flowconsent.com/auth/sign-up?utm_source=flowconsent.com\&utm_medium=referral\&utm_campaign=advertising) · [Scan my site](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/scan) At a glance - Category [Advertising](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/advertising) - Consent Marketing - Prior consent Required - Documented cookies 4 - Third-party domains 4 - Servers Russia (primary, Yandex infrastructure) Overview ## What does AdFox do? ## **What is AdFox** AdFox is the ad server product of Yandex, used primarily by publishers in Russia and the CIS to manage display, video, and native advertising. It is deployed via a JavaScript tag that loads creatives, handles frequency capping, and reports impressions and clicks to the Yandex dashboard. AdFox also acts as a bridge to Yandex Direct and other Yandex advertising products. ## **Cookies and identifiers** AdFox sets third party cookies on adfox.ru and adfox.yandex.ru including pseudonymous user identifiers, frequency capping data, and synchronisation cookies with the wider Yandex advertising graph. The cookies allow cross site tracking within the Yandex ecosystem. ## **Legal basis under the GDPR** Consent is required under Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and Art. 5(3) ePrivacy. Legitimate interest is not acceptable for behavioural advertising. Given the Russia transfer, the consent must be informed about the destination country and the associated risks. ## **International data transfers and high risk jurisdiction** Russia is not the subject of an EU adequacy decision and is widely considered a high risk jurisdiction due to Federal Law 152 FZ and the broad lawful interception powers granted to security services. The Schrems II case law requires controllers to perform a Transfer Impact Assessment, deploy supplementary measures (encryption, pseudonymisation), and consider whether the transfer can be lawfully made at all. Several European DPAs (CNIL, Datatilsynet) have flagged Russia transfers as particularly sensitive since 2022. ## **Practical compliance steps** Consider not using AdFox for European traffic. If used, sign SCCs, run a TIA, apply supplementary measures, disclose the Russia transfer prominently in your CMP and privacy notice, and document the rationale for the choice. Avoid passing identifiable customer data through AdFox. ## **Alternatives** European ad servers and SSPs that avoid Russia transfers include Google Ad Manager (EU instance), Smart AdServer (Equativ), AdForm, and OpenX with EU regions. They reduce legal risk significantly. Compliance ## AdFox and the GDPR AdFox is classified as “Marketing”. On a site that targets European visitors, it must only load after the visitor consents, and it must be listed in your cookie policy. - Legal basis Consent (GDPR Art. 6(1)(a) and ePrivacy Directive Art. 5(3)) - Risk level high - Applicable regulations GDPR, ePrivacy Directive, Russian Federal Law No. 152 FZ on personal data ### Impact assessment (DPIA) A DPIA is required because AdFox transfers personal data to Russia, a high risk jurisdiction with government access powers, and enables behavioural advertising at scale. ### Sample text for your banner > We use AdFox by Yandex to deliver advertising. With your consent, AdFox may set cookies and process your data on servers located in Russia. Cookies and trackers ## What AdFox sets and contacts - Tracking method JavaScript ad tag with third party cookies, integrated with the Yandex ad ecosystem - Server location Russia (primary, Yandex infrastructure) - Data transferred outside the EU AdFox is a Yandex product, with production data stored in Russia. Transfers from the EU to Russia require Standard Contractual Clauses plus a Transfer Impact Assessment; Russia has no adequacy decision and is widely considered a high risk jurisdiction. ### Cookies set (4) | Name | Type | Duration | Purpose | | ----------- | ------------ | --------- | ------------------------------------------------- | | adfox\_uid | third\_party | 12 months | Pseudonymous user identifier for ad targeting | | adfox\_freq | third\_party | 30 days | Frequency capping data | | i | third\_party | 12 months | Synchronisation with the Yandex advertising graph | | adfox\_sync | third\_party | 12 months | Cookie sync with Yandex ad partners | ### Third-party domains contacted (4) - `adfox.ru` - `adfox.yandex.ru` - `yandex.ru` - `an.yandex.ru` Questions ## Frequently asked questions about AdFox Can't find your question? Write to us, we answer fast. [Write to us](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/demo) ### What cookies does AdFox set? Third party cookies adfox\_uid (twelve months), adfox\_freq (thirty days), the Yandex i cookie (twelve months), and adfox\_sync (twelve months). ### Is consent required for AdFox? Yes. AdFox cookies are non essential and Russia is a high risk transfer destination, so consent under Art. 5(3) ePrivacy and Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR is required. ### What is the legal basis for AdFox? Explicit consent. Legitimate interest is not acceptable for behavioural advertising or Russia transfers. ### Does AdFox transfer data to Russia? Yes. AdFox is a Yandex product and data is hosted in Russia. The transfer requires SCCs, a TIA, and supplementary measures. ### Do I need a DPIA? Yes. Russia transfer plus large scale behavioural advertising trigger Art. 35 GDPR for sure. ### How do I implement AdFox compliantly? Strongly consider not using it for EU traffic. If unavoidable, deploy SCCs, TIA, supplementary measures, prominent disclosure, and short retention. ### Are there alternatives? Google Ad Manager (EU instance), Smart AdServer (Equativ), AdForm, OpenX EU. ### How do I update my cookie policy? List AdFox and Yandex domains and cookies, indicate the Russia transfer, mention SCCs and TIA, and link to Yandex policy. Same category ## More services: Advertising [See the whole category](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/advertising) ### [Affilo](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/advertising/affilo) [Affilo is a web technology service that provides essential functionality for websites and digital platforms. It delivers core capabilities that support site operations, content delivery, and user experience optimization. Affilo integrates seamlessly with modern web architectures, ensuring reliable performance and compatibility across browsers and devices. Trusted by businesses worldwide, Affilo helps organizations maintain robust websites that meet user expectations and technical requirements.](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/advertising/affilo) [Marketing](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/advertising/affilo) · ### [Nativo](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/advertising/nativo) [Nativo is a digital marketing technology that helps businesses reach, engage, and convert their target audience online. It provides advanced targeting, campaign management, and performance analytics capabilities. Nativo enables marketers to deliver personalized experiences across channels, optimize campaign ROI, and gain actionable insights into customer behavior. With automation features and data-driven optimization, Nativo empowers marketing teams to achieve measurable growth.](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/advertising/nativo) [Marketing](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/advertising/nativo) · ### [RevBid](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/advertising/revbid) [RevBid is a marketing platform that equips businesses with tools to amplify their digital presence and drive customer acquisition. It supports audience segmentation, campaign automation, and cross-channel engagement. RevBid provides real-time analytics and reporting dashboards for performance measurement and strategy optimization. By combining data intelligence with marketing execution, RevBid helps deliver the right message to the right audience at the right time.](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/advertising/revbid) [Marketing](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/advertising/revbid) · ### [Google Ads](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/advertising/google-ads) [Google Ads is a digital marketing technology that helps businesses reach, engage, and convert their target audience online. It provides advanced targeting, campaign management, and performance analytics capabilities. Google Ads enables marketers to deliver personalized experiences across channels, optimize campaign ROI, and gain actionable insights into customer behavior. With automation features and data-driven optimization, Google Ads empowers marketing teams to achieve measurable growth.](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/advertising/google-ads) [Marketing](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/advertising/google-ads) · ### [Conneqto](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/advertising/conneqto) [Conneqto is an AI-powered platform that leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning to help businesses automate processes, generate insights, and enhance digital experiences. It provides intelligent automation, natural language processing, and predictive analytics. Conneqto integrates with existing workflows and tools to deliver AI-driven optimization across marketing, customer service, and operations. With scalable infrastructure, Conneqto makes advanced AI accessible to all teams.](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/advertising/conneqto) [Marketing](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/advertising/conneqto) · ### [Admo.tv](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/advertising/admo-tv) [Admo.tv is a marketing platform that equips businesses with tools to amplify their digital presence and drive customer acquisition. It supports audience segmentation, campaign automation, and cross-channel engagement. Admo.tv provides real-time analytics and reporting dashboards for performance measurement and strategy optimization. By combining data intelligence with marketing execution, Admo.tv helps deliver the right message to the right audience at the right time.](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/advertising/admo-tv) [Marketing](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/advertising/admo-tv) ## Make your site compliant today. Free up to 25,000 sessions a month. No credit card, no commitment. [Create my banner](https://app.flowconsent.com/auth/sign-up?utm_source=flowconsent.com\&utm_medium=referral\&utm_campaign=general) · [Scan my site](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/scan)