Etracker
Etracker is a German web analytics platform operated by etracker GmbH (Hamburg). It offers a consent free cookieless mode that anonymises IPs and avoids browser identifiers, making it one of the most popular German alternatives to Google Analytics for ePrivacy compliant analytics. Servers are located exclusively in Germany.
What does Etracker do?
What is Etracker
Etracker is a web analytics product operated by etracker GmbH from Hamburg, Germany. The product is positioned as a privacy first, ePrivacy and TTDSG compliant alternative to Google Analytics for European publishers, ecommerce stores, public sector portals and B2B SaaS. It offers cookie based and cookieless modes, plus an Optimiser conversion attribution layer.
Cookies and tracking technologies
In the default cookieless mode (Privacy Compliant Mode), Etracker sets no cookie and stores no identifier in the visitor browser. The IP address is hashed and anonymised on the Etracker side before processing. In the optional cookie based mode, Etracker drops the et_oip first party cookie under the publisher domain to support cross visit attribution and Optimiser features.
GDPR and ePrivacy implications
In cookieless mode, Etracker can rely on legitimate interest under Article 6(1)(f) GDPR. The DSK and the CNIL both consider cookieless analytics with IP anonymisation and no cross site identifier as consent free, similar to Matomo Analytics in anonymised mode. etracker GmbH acts as a processor under Article 28 GDPR for the audit logs and aggregated reports.
Consent requirements
No consent is required in cookieless mode. A transparency notice in the privacy policy is sufficient. If you switch to cookie based mode or enable the Optimiser conversion attribution feature, prior, freely given, specific, informed and unambiguous consent is required under Article 5(3) ePrivacy and Article 6(1)(a) GDPR.
Data transfers outside the EEA
etracker GmbH processes all visitor data exclusively in Hamburg, Germany. There is no transfer to third countries. The hosting infrastructure is ISO 27001 certified. Customer support engagement remains inside Germany. Etracker is a frequent recommendation by German data protection authorities for Google Analytics replacement projects.
Practical compliance steps
Sign the etracker DPA (Auftragsverarbeitungsvertrag), activate the cookieless Privacy Compliant Mode by default, restrict the cookie based mode to consented sessions if needed, document the legitimate interest balancing test, and add a short transparency notice to your privacy policy explaining that Etracker is hosted in Germany and processes anonymised data.
Etracker and the GDPR
- Legal basis
- Legitimate interest under Article 6(1)(f) GDPR for the cookieless analytics mode that does not store any browser identifier and anonymises the IP before processing. Consent is required only for the optional cookie based mode and for the Optimiser conversion attribution feature.
- Risk level
- low
- Applicable regulations
- GDPR, ePrivacy Directive, German TTDSG, BDSG, CNIL Guidelines on consent free analytics
Impact assessment (DPIA)
A DPIA is not required for Etracker in cookieless mode. It may be useful when the cookie based mode and the Optimiser conversion attribution feature are activated and when Etracker is combined with first party CRM identifiers.
Sample text for your banner
We use Etracker (etracker GmbH, Hamburg) to measure how visitors use our website. Etracker runs in cookieless mode by default: no cookie is set and your IP is anonymised before processing on German servers. No personal data is transferred outside the EU.
What Etracker sets and contacts
- Tracking method
- JavaScript analytics SDK with cookieless mode by default; optional cookie based mode that sets first party cookies for cross visit attribution
- Server location
- etracker GmbH on infrastructure located in Hamburg, Germany (EU only, ISO 27001 certified)
- Cookieless mode available
- Yes
Cookies set (3)
| Name | Type | Duration | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| et_oip | first_party | 6 months | Etracker first party cookie set only when the optional cookie based mode is activated. Used for cross visit attribution and Optimiser conversion path analysis. Not set in the default Privacy Compliant Mode. |
| et_coid | first_party | 1 year | Etracker client identifier cookie set only in cookie based mode. Used to recognise returning visitors across sessions for cohort and funnel analysis. |
| No cookies in Privacy Compliant Mode | first_party | N/A | In the default cookieless Privacy Compliant Mode, Etracker sets no cookie and stores no identifier in the visitor browser. The IP address is anonymised server side. |
Third-party domains contacted (4)
www.etracker.comcode.etracker.cometracker.dewww.etracker.de
Frequently asked questions about Etracker
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Which cookies does Etracker set?
In default cookieless mode, Etracker sets no cookie. In the optional cookie based mode, Etracker drops the et_oip first party cookie under the publisher domain for cross visit attribution and Optimiser features.
Does Etracker require user consent?
No in default cookieless mode. The cookieless analytics with IP anonymisation can rely on legitimate interest. The cookie based mode and the Optimiser feature do require prior consent under Article 5(3) ePrivacy.
What legal basis applies to Etracker?
Cookieless mode relies on legitimate interest under Article 6(1)(f) GDPR. Cookie based mode and Optimiser rely on consent under Article 6(1)(a) GDPR. etracker GmbH is a processor under Article 28 GDPR.
Does Etracker transfer data to the United States?
No. etracker GmbH processes all visitor data exclusively in Hamburg, Germany. Hosting infrastructure is ISO 27001 certified. No transfer to third countries occurs.
Is a DPIA needed for Etracker?
A DPIA is not required for Etracker in cookieless mode. It may be useful when the cookie based mode and the Optimiser feature are activated and when Etracker is combined with first party CRM identifiers.
How do I implement Etracker compliantly?
Sign the etracker DPA, activate the Privacy Compliant Mode cookieless by default, restrict the cookie based mode to consented sessions if needed, document the legitimate interest balancing test, and add a transparency notice in your privacy policy.
Are there alternatives to Etracker?
Other consent free analytics alternatives include Matomo Analytics (Germany and New Zealand, cookieless mode), Plausible (Estonia), Pirsch (Germany), Fathom Analytics (Canada) and Cabin (UK). Standard Google Analytics 4 requires consent for EU traffic.
How do I update my cookie policy for Etracker?
In cookieless mode, mention Etracker in the analytics section of your privacy policy, identify etracker GmbH as the processor and state that no cookie is set and data stays in Germany. In cookie based mode, also list et_oip with name, domain, duration and purpose.
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