jQuery UI
jQuery UI is the user interface widget and interaction library that sits on top of jQuery. It provides ready made widgets (datepicker, dialog, autocomplete, tabs, accordion), interactions (draggable, droppable, sortable, resizable) and a theming system. jQuery UI does not set cookies and does not phone home. Like jQuery, the only privacy concern comes from whether the library is self-hosted or fetched from a US controlled public CDN.
What does jQuery UI do?
What jQuery UI does and how it appears on a website
jQuery UI is an open source widget and interaction library that builds on top of jQuery. Maintained under the OpenJS Foundation, it provides a date picker, autocomplete, dialog, slider, sortable list, draggable and droppable interactions, and a theming engine with the famous ThemeRoller. On a website jQuery UI appears as a JavaScript file plus an associated CSS stylesheet (and an image sprite for themes), loaded either bundled with the application or fetched from code.jquery.com, ajax.googleapis.com or cdnjs.cloudflare.com.
Cookies and data collected
jQuery UI does not set cookies. It does not write to localStorage and it does not perform any browser fingerprinting. Some widgets may read user input or store state in JavaScript variables, but nothing is persisted in browser storage by the library itself. The only data exchanged with the network is the HTTP request that downloads the script and stylesheet from the hosting CDN.
GDPR and ePrivacy implications
As with any third party JavaScript file, the loading itself does not store information on the user device, so Article 5(3) ePrivacy strict consent rule for terminal storage does not apply. However, the request transmits the visitor IP to the CDN, which is personal data under the GDPR. The Bonn Regional Court ruling on Google Fonts confirmed that this kind of transmission requires a clear legal basis or prior consent when the CDN is in a third country.
International data transfers
All three main jQuery UI CDNs are US controlled: code.jquery.com (operated by jQuery Foundation through StackPath / Edgio), ajax.googleapis.com (Google) and cdnjs.cloudflare.com (Cloudflare). Google LLC and Cloudflare Inc. are certified under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework, providing an adequacy basis. Self-hosting on an EU server eliminates the transfer entirely.
Consent and legal basis
Self-hosted jQuery UI relies on Article 6(1)(f) GDPR legitimate interest. A public CDN deployment should either gather opt-in consent before the script loads, or rely on a documented legitimate interest with a clear privacy notice. Self-hosting remains the simplest path for European websites.
Practical compliance steps
Audit every page for jquery-ui script and stylesheet tags pointing to an external origin, download both files and the matching theme assets, host them on your own domain or on an EU CDN, add Subresource Integrity hashes, document the choice in the privacy notice, and consider whether jQuery UI is still required: many of its widgets have native HTML or modern framework alternatives.
jQuery UI and the GDPR
- Legal basis
- Legitimate interest under Article 6(1)(f) GDPR when self-hosted. Following the Bonn Regional Court ruling on Google Fonts, loading jQuery UI from a non-EU CDN can require prior consent if no alternative legal basis is documented.
- Risk level
- low
- Applicable regulations
- GDPR, ePrivacy Directive, German TTDSG / TDDDG, EU-US Data Privacy Framework
Impact assessment (DPIA)
A DPIA is generally not necessary for jQuery UI. A short transfer impact assessment is enough when the library is loaded from a non-EU CDN: document data minimisation (IP only), the EU-US Data Privacy Framework certification of the CDN provider, and the option of self-hosting.
Sample text for your banner
This website uses jQuery UI for interactive widgets such as date pickers and dialogs. jQuery UI does not set cookies. When the library is loaded from a third party content delivery network, your IP address is shared with the CDN provider; in that case we ask for your consent before requesting the script.
What jQuery UI sets and contacts
- Tracking method
- JavaScript widget library built on top of jQuery, loaded from a CDN or self-hosted. Does not set cookies; hosting CDN logs HTTP requests.
- Server location
- When self-hosted: same origin as the website. From code.jquery.com, ajax.googleapis.com or cdnjs.cloudflare.com: global edge networks operated by StackPath / Edgio, Google or Cloudflare.
- Cookieless mode available
- Yes
- Data transferred outside the EU
- jQuery UI is open source under the MIT license, but the public CDNs that serve it (code.jquery.com, ajax.googleapis.com, cdnjs.cloudflare.com) are US controlled. Loading the library from a public CDN transmits the visitor IP to a non-EU entity.
Third-party domains contacted (4)
code.jquery.comajax.googleapis.comcdnjs.cloudflare.comjqueryui.com
Frequently asked questions about jQuery UI
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Does jQuery UI set any cookies?
No. jQuery UI does not set cookies, does not use localStorage and does not collect telemetry. It only manipulates the DOM for its widgets and interactions.
Do I need consent to use jQuery UI?
Self-hosted jQuery UI requires no specific consent. Loading the library from a public US CDN may require consent because the visitor IP is transmitted to a non-EU provider, per the Bonn Regional Court ruling on Google Fonts.
What is the legal basis for jQuery UI?
Legitimate interest under Article 6(1)(f) GDPR when self-hosted. Public CDN deployments need either prior consent or a documented legitimate interest with a clear privacy notice.
Does jQuery UI transfer data to the United States?
Only if loaded from a US CDN (code.jquery.com via StackPath / Edgio, ajax.googleapis.com via Google, cdnjs.cloudflare.com via Cloudflare). Self-hosting on an EU server avoids any cross-border transfer.
Is a DPIA needed for jQuery UI?
No. A short transfer impact assessment is enough for the CDN scenario.
How do I implement jQuery UI compliantly?
Self-host the JavaScript, CSS and theme image sprite from your own domain or an EU CDN. Add Subresource Integrity hashes and a Content Security Policy that pins the script and stylesheet sources.
Are there alternatives to jQuery UI?
Native HTML elements (input type=date, dialog), modern UI libraries such as Headless UI, Radix UI, Shoelace and Material Web Components, or framework specific component sets in React, Vue, Svelte or Angular.
How do I update the cookie policy for jQuery UI?
If self-hosted, no specific mention is needed. If a third party CDN is used, list the provider, mention the IP transfer on each load and the applicable EU-US Data Privacy Framework or Standard Contractual Clauses basis.
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