Overview
Websites that use the IAB Transparency and Consent Framework (TCF) with Termly now display a Features section in the consent banner’s Preferences panel. This update reflects IAB Europe’s TCF Policy v5.0.b, which requires consent management platforms to disclose Features to website visitors.
This article explains what Features are, where they appear, why they do not include a consent toggle, where the explanatory text comes from, and how the list is determined for your website.
What are Features?
Under the TCF, vendors declare how they process personal data. Most processing falls under Purposes, such as “Create profiles for personalised advertising,” which visitors are given a choice about.
Features describe methods a vendor may use while carrying out those Purposes. The IAB Global Vendor List currently defines the following Features:
- Match and combine data from other data sources
- Link different devices
- Identify devices based on information transmitted automatically
A Feature cannot be used on its own. A vendor may only use a Feature in support of a Purpose the visitor has already been given a choice about.
Where Features appear
Visitors can view the Features section by selecting Preferences on your consent banner and opening the Purposes tab. The Features section appears below Special Features, and each Feature shows how many vendors declare it.
The Preferences panel includes Categories, Purposes, and Vendors tabs when IAB TCF is enabled for your website, and the visitor is in a region where the TCF banner is displayed. If your website does not use IAB TCF, the Preferences panel lists consent categories such as Essential Cookies and Performance and Functionality Cookies, and this change does not affect your banner.
Features are for disclosure only
Features appear in the Preferences panel without a checkbox, toggle, or any other consent control. This is intentional and required by the TCF policy.
Because Features are always tied to Purposes, a visitor’s choice is made at the Purpose level. If a visitor declines or objects to a Purpose, vendors may not use any Feature in pursuit of that Purpose. The TCF policy also prohibits displaying Features alongside controls that visitors cannot operate, so no control is shown.
Visitors can select Details next to any Feature to read its full description, view the illustrations provided by IAB Europe, and see which vendors declare it.
Note: Special Features, such as “Use precise geolocation data,” are separate from Features. Special Features continue to require opt-in consent and retain their toggles.
The explanation text is provided by IAB Europe
The Features section begins with a short explanation written and published by IAB Europe. In English, it reads:
These means of processing can be used solely in pursuit of one or several purposes for which you are given a choice in this notice.
Termly displays this text exactly as IAB Europe publishes it. Translations are also provided by IAB Europe and are shown in the visitor’s banner language. If a translation is not available for that language, the English version is displayed.
Because this wording is defined by the TCF policy, it cannot be edited through banner customization or custom translations. When IAB Europe updates the text, your banner picks up the change in our weekly vendor list update.
Which Features appear on your website
The Features section only lists Features declared by the TCF vendors enabled for your website. As a result:
- Different websites may display different Features.
- If none of your enabled vendors declare a particular Feature, it does not appear.
- If none of your enabled vendors declare any Features, the section does not appear.
To change which Features are displayed, review the TCF vendors enabled for your website in your Termly dashboard. Adding or removing a vendor updates the Features shown to your visitors.
Updated Special Feature name
As part of the same IAB Europe update, Special Feature 2 has been renamed from “Actively scan device characteristics for identification” to “Identify devices based on information actively requested.” This change is already reflected in your consent banner, and no action is required.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to take any action to enable the Features section?
No. The section appears automatically when visitors open Preferences on your consent banner.
Does this change affect all of my visitors?
No. The Features section appears only when IAB TCF is enabled for your website. Visitors in regions where the TCF banner is not displayed will not see any change.
Can visitors opt out of individual Features?
Not directly. Visitors control how their data is used through their choices about Purposes, and Features may only be used in support of Purposes the visitor has been given a choice about.
Can I hide the Features section or edit its text?
No. Displaying Features and the IAB Europe explanation text is a TCF requirement. Hiding or modifying them would place your banner out of compliance with the framework.