FlowConsent
How it worksPricingComparisonsBlogDocumentationLog inTry FlowConsent
Try FlowConsent
Advertising

Sonar

MarketingOfficial website

Advertising and conversion tracking platform that drops third party cookies on publisher and advertiser sites for audience segmentation and ad attribution.

Block Sonar until consentScan my site
Overview

What does Sonar do?

What Sonar is

Sonar is positioned in the advertising category as an ad tech and conversion tracking platform. Publishers and advertisers add a Sonar pixel or JavaScript tag to their pages so the platform can record clicks, page views and conversion events, match them against audience segments and report on campaign performance across publishers.

Cookies and data flows

Sonar drops third party advertising cookies that hold a unique user identifier, click identifiers and timestamp data. Each cookie is associated with the Sonar tracking domain so the same identifier can be read across every site that integrates the pixel. The pixel collects IP address, user agent, referrer URL, page URL and any custom event parameters sent by the advertiser. This information is sent server side to the Sonar infrastructure and can be enriched with partner data for audience segmentation.

GDPR and ePrivacy implications

Advertising pixels store and read information on the visitor terminal, which engages Article 5(3) of the ePrivacy Directive and requires prior, freely given, specific, informed and unambiguous consent. The advertiser is the controller for the visitor data, Sonar acts as a separate controller or joint controller depending on the contractual setup. Legitimate interest is not an acceptable legal basis under EDPB Guidelines 8/2020 and CNIL doctrine for this kind of behavioural advertising activity.

International data transfers

Sonar processes data in the United States and replicates identifiers to advertising partners that may also operate outside the EEA. Transfers must rely on the EU US Data Privacy Framework where the recipient is certified, or on Standard Contractual Clauses combined with a Schrems II transfer impact assessment. Document the safeguards in your record of processing activities.

Practical compliance steps

Block the Sonar tag until the visitor explicitly consents through a compliant Consent Management Platform. Use IAB TCF v2.2 signals or a server side gateway to relay consent to Sonar. Run a DPIA covering tracking, profiling and US transfers. Restrict retention, document recipients and offer a clear withdrawal mechanism. Update your privacy notice and cookie policy whenever Sonar tags or partners change.

Compliance

Sonar and the GDPR

Sonar 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 (Art 6(1)(a) GDPR) combined with Article 5(3) of the ePrivacy Directive 2002/58/EC. The advertising and audience segmentation purpose cannot rely on legitimate interest because the EDPB and CNIL classify behavioural ad tracking as requiring prior opt in.
Risk level
high
Applicable regulations
GDPR, ePrivacy Directive 2002/58/EC, EDPB Guidelines 8/2020 on targeting social media users, CNIL cookie guidelines, IAB TCF v2.2, UK GDPR, PECR, CCPA/CPRA

Impact assessment (DPIA)

A DPIA under Article 35 GDPR is strongly recommended whenever Sonar is deployed, because the activity combines large scale online tracking, behavioural profiling for advertising and likely transfers to the United States. Document the categories of identifiers collected, the matching and enrichment logic, the retention periods, the audience segmentation outputs, the recipients and the safeguards. Include a Schrems II transfer impact assessment for any US recipient.

Sample text for your banner

We use Sonar advertising cookies to measure the performance of our campaigns and to show you more relevant ads on partner sites. These cookies are set only after you click Accept. They share information with Sonar and its advertising partners in the United States. You can refuse, withdraw or change your choice at any time from the cookie preferences link in the footer.
Cookies and trackers

What Sonar sets and contacts

Tracking method
Third party advertising pixel and conversion tracking tag deployed on publisher and advertiser websites. Drops third party cookies, may chain to additional ad tech partners, and matches click identifiers against audience segments server side.
Server location
United States with additional points of presence used to serve impressions globally. Audience and conversion data typically replicated to US ad infrastructure.
Data transferred outside the EU
Data is transferred to the United States and potentially to other jurisdictions where Sonar advertising partners operate. Such transfers must rely on the EU US Data Privacy Framework where applicable and on Standard Contractual Clauses supplemented by a transfer impact assessment under Schrems II.

Cookies set (3)

NameTypeDurationPurpose
sonar_uidadvertising13 monthsThird party advertising cookie that stores a unique visitor identifier used by Sonar to recognise the same browser across sites that embed the Sonar pixel, for audience segmentation and ad measurement.
sonar_clickadvertising30 daysThird party click identifier cookie set when a visitor clicks a Sonar tracked ad. Used to attribute downstream conversions to the originating campaign and creative.
sonar_syncadvertising90 daysCookie used for partner cookie syncing. Allows Sonar to match its user identifier with identifiers from advertising partners for cross device and cross site audience extension.

Third-party domains contacted (3)

  • sonar.com
  • tr.sonar.com
  • pixel.sonar.com
Questions

Frequently asked questions about Sonar

Can't find your question? Write to us, we answer fast.

Which cookies does Sonar set?

Sonar sets third party advertising cookies on the visitor browser when the Sonar pixel fires. These typically include a user identifier cookie, a click identifier cookie and a session timestamp cookie, scoped to the Sonar tracking domain. Additional partner cookies may be set through cookie syncing.

Do I need consent to use Sonar?

Yes. Sonar processes information stored on the terminal of the visitor and uses it for behavioural advertising and audience segmentation. Both Article 5(3) of the ePrivacy Directive and Article 6(1)(a) GDPR require freely given, specific, informed and unambiguous opt in consent before the tag loads.

What legal basis applies?

Consent under Article 6(1)(a) GDPR is the only acceptable legal basis. Legitimate interest is explicitly excluded by the EDPB Guidelines 8/2020 and by national regulators such as the CNIL for behavioural advertising activities of this scale.

Is data transferred to the United States?

Yes. Sonar infrastructure and many of its advertising partners process data in the United States. You must rely on the EU US Data Privacy Framework for certified recipients or on Standard Contractual Clauses backed by a Schrems II transfer impact assessment for everyone else.

Is a DPIA needed?

Yes. The combination of systematic large scale online monitoring, behavioural profiling, audience matching and likely US transfers meets the criteria under Article 35(3) GDPR. Run a full DPIA and consult your DPO before going live.

How do I implement Sonar compliantly?

Load the Sonar tag only after explicit consent through your CMP, pass the consent signal to Sonar via TCF v2.2 or a server side gateway, limit data collection to what is necessary, sign a Data Processing Agreement or joint controller arrangement, and keep an up to date record of processing activities.

What are the alternatives?

Cookieless conversion APIs from advertising networks, first party server side tracking with deterministic identifiers under consent, contextual advertising solutions and EU hosted privacy first analytics such as Matomo or Piwik PRO provide lower risk options for measuring campaigns.

How do I update my cookie policy?

List each Sonar cookie with its purpose, duration and recipients. Mention cookie syncing partners and the United States transfer mechanism. Refresh the document whenever Sonar adds or removes a partner, and reference the policy from your consent banner and footer.

Same category

More services: Advertising

See the whole category

Affiliatly

Affiliatly is a foundational web service that powers critical website functions and digital experiences. It provides reliable infrastructure, seamless integration capabilities, and consistent performance across all devices and browsers. Affiliatly supports modern development practices and scales with growing business needs. With a focus on stability and compatibility, Affiliatly ensures your website delivers a smooth, uninterrupted experience to every visitor and search engine crawler.

Marketing

Mile.tech

Mile.tech 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. Mile.tech provides real-time analytics and reporting dashboards for performance measurement and strategy optimization. By combining data intelligence with marketing execution, Mile.tech helps deliver the right message to the right audience at the right time.

Marketing

Felmat

Felmat 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. Felmat 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, Felmat empowers marketing teams to achieve measurable growth.

Marketing

Tracify

Tracify 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. Tracify integrates with existing workflows and tools to deliver AI-driven optimization across marketing, customer service, and operations. With scalable infrastructure, Tracify makes advanced AI accessible to all teams.

Marketing

Teads

Teads 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. Teads provides real-time analytics and reporting dashboards for performance measurement and strategy optimization. By combining data intelligence with marketing execution, Teads helps deliver the right message to the right audience at the right time.

Marketing

Kueez

Kueez 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. Kueez provides real-time analytics and reporting dashboards for performance measurement and strategy optimization. By combining data intelligence with marketing execution, Kueez helps deliver the right message to the right audience at the right time.

Marketing

Make your site compliant today.

Free up to 25,000 sessions a month. No credit card, no commitment.

Create my bannerScan my site