Definition:
Consent theatre is the performance of consent through rituals, prompts, or interfaces that give the appearance of choice without offering meaningful alternatives.
Usage Context:
Seen in cookie banners, privacy popups, terms of service agreements, and opt-in flows that strongly favour one outcome.
Critical Note:
Consent theatre protects institutions rather than individuals. It shifts responsibility onto users while obscuring the coercive structure of the choice environment.
Related Terms:
Performative Participation, Consensus Theatre, Manufactured Consent, Legitimacy Laundering, Authority Framing