Too bad, because it basically said they only use necessary cookies.

I suppose you'd have complained if there were no cookie banner as well?

I mean, that cookie popup saying there's no need for a cookie popup is probably there because someone complained there's no cookie popup...

The

"Appreciate it" / "cool carry on"

Is exactly the sort of confusing non choice options cookie banners give. Along the lines of

"Accept all" / "more information"

Then I'll retract my claim but it is bad UX to make a popup on the landing page that looks like an evil cookie banner.

I must agree the text on the buttons confused me too, but considering the article title and the first few comments I stopped and read the pop-up text.

I’m in the habit of going interesting title -> skim a few comments -> then decide whether I should click on the article