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OpinionBar is an online survey and market research panel operated by MetrixLab, where members complete questionnaires and product tests in exchange for rewards.
OpinionBar is an online survey and market research panel operated by the research agency MetrixLab. Members sign up and are invited to complete questionnaires, test products at home, view advertisements and try new websites in exchange for rewards. Businesses use the panel to gather consumer opinions on products, services and campaigns, which makes the personal data of members central to the service.
To run a panel, OpinionBar collects registration details such as name, email, demographic profile and reward payment information, plus the responses members give in each survey. It also uses cookies and similar technologies to read technical information from devices, including device type, device identifiers, approximate location from the IP address and browser settings. Some cookies are used to detect whether a member has been exposed to a specific advertisement so the panel can measure campaign effectiveness.
MetrixLab acts as a controller for its own panel and as a processor when it runs research on behalf of a client brand, so the roles must be defined in writing. Survey responses can reveal opinions, health attitudes or other sensitive information, which may amount to special category data requiring extra safeguards. Under the ePrivacy Directive, the device reading and advertising measurement cookies require prior consent, and under the GDPR members must receive clear information about profiling.
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Panel membership itself relies on the member freely agreeing to take part, and the cookies that measure advertising exposure require separate, specific consent. Where survey topics touch on special category data, explicit consent is needed before that data is collected. Consent should be granular, easy to withdraw, and recorded so MetrixLab and its clients can demonstrate it.
OpinionBar stores personal data primarily on servers in Rotterdam in the Netherlands, which keeps most processing inside the European Union. However, MetrixLab may also use service providers in other countries where it operates, so some processing can occur outside the EEA. Any such transfers should be covered by the EU Standard Contractual Clauses and a transfer risk assessment.
If you commission research through OpinionBar, agree the controller and processor roles in writing and document the lawful basis for each survey. Gate advertising measurement cookies behind consent, capture explicit consent for any special category questions, and set clear retention limits for responses. Update your privacy notice to name MetrixLab, describe the profiling and confirm how members can access, correct or erase their data.
Websites using OpinionBar must obtain user consent under GDPR regulations.
DPIA considerations
A DPIA is advisable because OpinionBar profiles panel members through repeated surveys, device identifiers and ad exposure measurement. Assess the panel registration data, the use of cookies to link survey activity to advertising, and any special category data revealed through research topics.
Sample consent text
This survey is powered by OpinionBar and MetrixLab. With your consent, we use cookies and device data to deliver and measure surveys and to link your responses to your panel profile. You can accept or decline in your privacy settings.
Third-party domains contacted
opinionbar.commetrixlab.comwebsurvey5.metrixlab.comwebsurvey5.opinionbar.comCookies placed
| Name | Type | Duration | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| OB_session | Functional | Session | Maintains the survey session so a member can complete a questionnaire across multiple pages. |
| panelist_id | Functional | 1 year | Links survey activity to the member panel profile and prevents duplicate participation. |
| ml_adexposure | Analytics | 90 days | Records whether a member was exposed to a specific advertisement to measure campaign effectiveness. |
| ml_device | Analytics | 6 months | Stores device and browser characteristics used for quality control and fraud prevention in research. |
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OpinionBar sets functional cookies such as a survey session cookie and a panel member identifier to deliver questionnaires and prevent duplicate participation. It also uses analytics cookies that record device characteristics and whether a member was exposed to a particular advertisement, which are used to measure campaign effectiveness.
Yes. Panel membership relies on the member freely agreeing to take part, and the cookies that read device data and measure advertising exposure require prior consent under the ePrivacy Directive. If a survey collects special category data, explicit consent is needed first.
Running the panel and paying rewards rests on the membership agreement and consent under Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR. Quality control and fraud prevention can rely on legitimate interest, while sensitive survey topics need explicit consent under Art. 9. Define a basis for each survey.
OpinionBar stores data primarily in Rotterdam in the Netherlands, so most processing stays in the EU. MetrixLab may still use providers in other countries where it operates, so any processing outside the EEA should be covered by the EU Standard Contractual Clauses.
A DPIA is advisable because the panel profiles members through repeated surveys, device identifiers and advertising measurement, and surveys can capture sensitive opinions. Assess the registration data, the ad exposure cookies and the potential for special category data.
Agree the controller and processor roles with MetrixLab in writing, document the lawful basis for each survey, and gate advertising measurement cookies behind consent. Capture explicit consent for sensitive questions, set clear retention limits, and name MetrixLab in your privacy notice.
EU based research panels that minimise device tracking and avoid advertising exposure cookies reduce risk. For simple feedback you can use a self hosted survey tool that stores responses on your own EU infrastructure and collects no profiling cookies at all.
List the OpinionBar functional cookies separately from the analytics and advertising measurement cookies, with names, purposes and durations. Disclose MetrixLab as the operator, explain the profiling and ad exposure measurement, and state consent as the lawful basis for the non essential cookies.