In a digital world where policies shift fast and technology evolves even faster, consent isn’t a one-time checkbox — it’s a dynamic, ongoing conversation. With major moves like the recent U.S. Executive Order on cybersecurity, it’s clearer than ever: we need to revisit how we ask for, manage, and respect consent online.

Consent in the Age of Cybersecurity

The U.S. government’s 2025 Executive Order aims to strengthen cybersecurity across federal systems. From end-to-end encryption to encrypted DNS and TLS 1.3, the message is clear — user protection is a priority. But protection isn’t just about systems. It’s also about people. And people need control over their data and digital choices.

This is where consent comes in.

What Is “Revisit Consent”?

“Revisit consent” is a simple idea with powerful implications. It means users should have:

• Clear and accessible ways to manage consent settings.
• Reminders and prompts to review what they’ve agreed to.
• Options to withdraw or modify consent at any time.

It’s not enough to bury permissions in long privacy policies. Consent should be as easy to update as it is to give — especially when new technologies, services, or laws come into play.

Why Now?

Recent policy changes show us that governments are taking cybersecurity and data privacy seriously. But organizations and platforms need to keep pace, too. As encrypted DNS, route origin validation, and zero-trust models gain traction, the infrastructure for security is maturing. It’s time for the user experience of consent to mature alongside it.

A Consent Button Isn’t Just a Button

It’s a trust-building tool. A user-facing “Revisit Consent” button is a small UI element that can have a massive impact:

• It empowers users.
• It increases transparency.
• It aligns with global data regulations like GDPR, CCPA, and beyond.

Imagine every website and app having a visible, persistent button where users can view, change, or revoke data-sharing preferences. That’s not just compliance — that’s respect.

Leading with Transparency

If major institutions like the U.S. government are committing to cybersecurity best practices, digital platforms should follow suit by giving users better control. That means making consent fluid, not fixed.

When we give users the ability to revisit consent, we signal that their trust matters. And in a digital ecosystem where trust is everything, that’s a signal worth sending.