Cookies
What do cookies mean?
Cookies are small pieces of data stored on a user's device by a website, which are used to remember information or preferences during and between visits.
Cookies are used by websites to enhance user experience by remembering details like login credentials, shopping cart items, language preferences, and browsing history. They can be set by the website you’re visiting (first-party cookies) or by other sites (third-party cookies). While cookies provide convenience, they also raise privacy concerns, as they can track users' behavior across different websites. Laws like the GDPR and CCPA require websites to obtain user consent before placing certain types of cookies on users' devices.
How do cookies work?
Cookies work by collecting and storing information about your browsing activity. When you visit a website, it sends a small file (cookie) to your browser. The cookie contains data such as your preferences, session information, and tracking information. The next time you visit the website, your browser sends the stored cookie back to the website, allowing it to remember your previous actions, such as language settings or logged-in status. Some cookies are essential for website functionality, while others are used for analytics or advertising purposes.
FAQs about cookies
There are different types of cookies, including session cookies (temporary and deleted when the browser is closed), persistent cookies (stored for a set period), first-party cookies (set by the website you're visiting), and third-party cookies (set by external domains, often for tracking or advertising).
Not all cookies require consent. Essential cookies that are necessary for website functionality, such as keeping you logged in, do not require consent. However, non-essential cookies, such as those used for analytics or advertising, typically require consent under data privacy laws like GDPR.
You can manage cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to view and delete cookies, as well as set preferences for how cookies are handled, such as blocking certain types of cookies or receiving notifications when cookies are being set.
First-party cookies are set by the website you are visiting, while third-party cookies are set by external sites or services, often for purposes such as tracking user behavior across different websites for advertising purposes.
Cookies can impact privacy by tracking user activity and collecting personal information, often without the user’s explicit consent. This tracking can be used for targeted advertising or behavioral profiling, which is why privacy regulations require businesses to disclose their cookie practices and obtain consent.