---
title: Introduction to the Consent Service and Consent API
description: Overview of the Consent Service and Consent API, which the PingDirectory server provides to collect fine-grained data authorizations from users and customers.
component: pingdirectory
version: 10.2
page_id: pingdirectory:consent_solution_guide:pd_cs_intro_consent_service_api
canonical_url: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingdirectory/11.1/consent_solution_guide/pd_cs_intro_consent_service_api.html
llms_txt: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingdirectory/llms.txt
docs_for_agents: https://developer.pingidentity.com/build-with-ai/docs-for-agents.md
revdate: 2023-09-13T00:00:00Z
superseded_by: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingdirectory/11.1/consent_solution_guide/pd_cs_intro_consent_service_api.html
---

# Introduction to the Consent Service and Consent API

Companies gain loyalty and trust when they offer transparency and control to their users and customers regarding the personal data that is collected, processed, or shared.

For example, in Europe, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was designed specifically for allowing companies to collect and use valuable data about its users, while protecting the rights of citizens to control what is collected and used.

To support the collection and end-user control of personal data, the PingDirectory server includes schema and REST APIs that provide the ability to collect fine-grained data authorizations (consents) from users and customers.