GDPR is more than that. Consent or not, there are things bad actors can do in the USA that in the EU they just can't. Specially to children and vulnerable people. GDPR is an integral part of it. This is a small but significant first step in the right direction. Long way ahead still.

Remember when HN used to have somewhat informed users? The trite cookie popups have nothing to do with GDPR, this has been repeated ad nauseam...

GDPR is actually good directive. Despite perpetual campaign against it from HN users who would like to abuse other peoples data.