What Are Internet Cookies? Types, Uses, and Privacy Implications
What Are Internet Cookies? Types, Uses, and Privacy Implications
TL;DR — Quick Answer
1 min readInternet cookies range from essential session management to invasive third-party tracking across millions of sites. European law requires informed opt-in consent for all non-essential cookies.
What Are Internet Cookies? Types, Uses, and Privacy Implications
Internet cookies are small text files stored on your device by websites you visit. They were invented in 1994 and have become a fundamental part of how the web functions -- and a major source of privacy concerns.
How Cookies Work
When you visit a website, the server can instruct your browser to store a cookie containing specific information. On subsequent visits, your browser sends the cookie back to the server, allowing the website to recognize you and remember your preferences, login status, or shopping cart contents.
Types of Cookies
First-party cookies are set by the website you are visiting. They typically handle essential functions like maintaining login sessions and remembering preferences.
Third-party cookies are set by domains other than the website you are visiting. They enable cross-site tracking for advertising and analytics purposes. These cookies are the most privacy-invasive and are increasingly blocked by browsers.
Session cookies expire when you close your browser. Persistent cookies remain on your device until they expire or are deleted.
Essential cookies are necessary for the website to function. Non-essential cookies are used for analytics, advertising, and other purposes that are not strictly necessary.
Legal Requirements
Under European law, non-essential cookies require informed, opt-in consent before being placed. Essential cookies are exempt from this requirement. Similar rules exist in other jurisdictions, though with varying specifics.
The Privacy Concern
Cookies enable comprehensive tracking of user behavior across the web. Third-party cookies, in particular, allow advertising networks to build detailed profiles of individuals across millions of websites. This is why privacy regulations, browser developers, and privacy advocates have increasingly targeted cookies as a vector for surveillance.
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