Your Privacy Matters: So, What are Cookies?
Data privacy is more relevant than ever and it is your decision on what information you want to expose to others, isn't it? Probably not. When you access a website there is a cookie message; have you ever just blindly accepted it without giving it a second thought? Or, have you ever thought, I wonder what happens if I decline, but accept anyway? I know I have. I am going to explain to you why you should never just blindly accept all cookies all of the time.
What is a cookie?
Simply, a cookie is a data file that is stored on your device by a website that you visit. Essentially, it is designed to enhance your experience by sharing some of the following information with the website owner:
Identify visitors’ information;
Enable the website to function efficiently;
Personalise content; and
Permit behavioural target advertising.
Why does this matter?
In the third quarter of 2021, it made $53 billion from advertising, and this was done through the data you are providing. Your data is important and you have a right to protect it. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requires companies to clearly define their data privacy policies and make them easily accessible. It is a European Union privacy law that came into effect in 2018, where businesses need to allow people to opt in to share their information. Although this is an EU law, it applies to any business or service that has clients in the EU, and given our networked community, you need to be aware of it today. Not all cookies do the same thing, so here are the differences:
Session cookies:
These are the ones that memorise your online activities and expire as soon as you go out of that webpage. If you didn't have these activated, then your browsing history would always be blank. So, why does that matter? Consider online shopping, and when you add something to your cart, you can go and check out at any time because they track your movement. If you didn't have these enabled, if you went to check out, your cart would be empty.First-party cookies:
These track your online preferences from login information to language selections and bookmarks. When you personalise different sites based on your preferences, first-party cookies remember those settings and implement them for the next time you visit the site.Third-party cookies:
These are the ones that collect data based on your behaviour and then pass this information on to advertisers; who in turn target advertising based on your online behaviour. From your interests, location, age, and search trends, content is curated specifically for the user at that point in time. So, next time you see an advertisement and feel like it was based on what you were thinking recently; well you can thank third-party cookies for that.
Why decline cookies?
Essentially, cookies are designed to give you the best experience however there are some instances where you should consider declining a cookie:
When mentioning third-party websites where the information will be going - either decline or unselect those third parties. Typically such a company will gather bits of information from the thousands of websites you visit and create a detailed profile of you. It just takes one site, to marry your surfing habits with your personal information.
If you are visiting a non-secure website - this already demonstrates a lack of understanding or respect for your information - be careful using public WiFi where 'cookie stealing' can happen. This is when someone picks up your cookie session and is able to log you in to that website.
Summary
Your data matters and you have the right to decide how this information is used. Similarly, if you are linking to websites, it is important that you are sharing with your users this information also. So, rather than blindly accept a cookie next time, consider whether you may accept some or all of the cookies.
