Without even realizing it, you’ve accepted cookies thousands of times over the years while browsing the web. Let’s take a look at what they are and what they’re used for.
Every time you open any website, a box appears at the bottom of the interface asking you whether you want to accept cookies, reject them, or only allow essential cookies. This applies to both desktop and smartphone pages.
Without thinking, you’ll most likely click Accept each time to view the website you were redirected to. But have you ever wondered what these cookies are? What are they for? And what happens every time you agree?
In this guide, we’ll look at everything you need to know about online cookies, from their definition and regulations to the consequences of clicking Accept.
What are cookies
Cookies are small text files that a website saves on your device. These files contain information such as your username, browsing preferences, or other personal settings.
In practice, cookies help websites recognize you when you return, offering a smoother and more personalized browsing experience. For example, thanks to cookies, a site can remember your preferred language or keep you logged in to your account.
The term derives from the concept of “magic cookies,” used in the 1980s in a UNIX environment. This technique was used to identify clients to a server, for example, for authentication. In the context of web browsers, the term was adopted to refer to these small data files sent by websites to users’ computers. These files are used to store useful information during browsing and allow sites to “recognize” users when they return.
Similar to real life, a cookie can be compared to a token you receive when you leave a coat or umbrella in a theater or elsewhere. The token itself has no value other than its uniqueness, and it is this uniqueness that allows its owner to get back exactly the same items they deposited (though without knowing anything about how the staff manages and retrieves the items.)
Cookie law is a set of European and national rules created to protect the privacy of online users. At the European level, there are two pillars:
- ePrivacy Directive (2002/58/EC): the Cookie Law is the law that introduces the obligation to inform users about the use of cookies and obtain their consent;
- GDPR (EU Regulation 2016/679): entered into force in 2018, it defines what constitutes valid consent and imposes penalties for those who fail to protect data.
In Italy, the rules are incorporated into the Personal Data Protection Code. The most recent operational framework is the Guidelines of the Italian Data Protection Authority, which became mandatory in January 2022 and which includes rules on how the cookie banner you see every day should be designed.
For years, there has been talk of the possible introduction of the new ePrivacy Regulation, which is intended to replace the old directive to adapt to technologies such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things.
How cookies work
When you accept cookies, you allow the website to store these files on your device. But it doesn’t end there. You’ll also need to know something else: cookies are divided into two main categories:
- First-party cookies: These cookies are generated and managed by the website you’re visiting. They help the site function better and remember your preferences while browsing.
- Third-party cookies: These cookies are created and managed by external companies (such as advertisers or web analytics services) and allow activity across different websites to be tracked.
Third-party cookies can pose a privacy risk for users as they collect and share sensitive information with other entities.
It’s important, although not often done, to read the privacy policies of the sites you visit and change your cookie preferences in your browser. This step, while a bit tedious, helps protect your information.
Based on their function and duration, cookies have been further divided into further categories over the years:
- Technical cookies: These are essential for the proper functioning of the site, allowing, for example, to maintain your login and save items in your e-commerce cart;
- Profiling cookies: These are used to monitor your online behavior and create a profile of your interests;
- Session cookies: These are temporary and are deleted when you close your browser;
- Persistent cookies: This last category of cookies remains on your device until a pre-set expiration date.
What are cookies used for
Cookies are a true engine that enables the web to function smoothly, as well as tracking your data.
On a technical level, cookies ensure proper session management, maintaining access to your account. They are also useful for shopping carts on e-commerce sites, so that added items remain even if you change pages.
Over the years, they have become useful for memorizing your preferences, such as your chosen language, font size, and theme. Finally, for security purposes, they help protect your profile by detecting anomalous login attempts.
Regarding business and marketing functions, cookies are used by site owners to perform statistical analyses on visitors, most-visited pages, time spent, etc., for targeted advertising based on your actual interests, and for affiliations.
Finally, there are legal and compliance functions. For example, today cookies store your consent and save your choice, but they also serve as proof of compliance to allow site owners to demonstrate to the Italian Data Protection Authority that the user has given their consent.
What happens if we accept cookies
By accepting cookies, we allow the website to collect and use our information. The primary purpose shouldn’t be to spy on us, but to improve our browsing experience.
Some of the benefits that accepting cookies can bring to users include a personalized browsing experience and access to specific website features, as well as faster website performance. Finally, we’ll receive relevant ads and content.
Precisely for this reason, accepting cookies, especially third-party ones, can pose risks to your privacy. Some of them can track your activity across various websites and, if desired, share this information with third parties.
Therefore, it’s essential to educate yourself to understand how cookies work. Only then can you manage your browser preferences to protect your personal data, choosing what to share and with whom. I know it may seem boring, but reading privacy policies is crucial, and that’s why we all should do it.
Original article published on Money.it Italy. Original title: Cosa sono i cookie, a cosa servono e cosa succede se li accetti sul web
