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Glossary > Privacy > Internet And Digital Privacy > General
Legal Disclaimers

Tracking Cookies

Tracking cookies are small pieces of code that websites place on a user's device to collect information about their online behavior, such as pages visited, clicks made, and preferences. These cookies track your activity across different websites to create a profile of your interests and behaviors.

Example #1

When you visit an online clothing store and then start seeing ads for similar clothing items on social media or other websites, that's because of tracking cookies that remember your browsing history and tailor ads accordingly.

Example #2

A travel website uses tracking cookies to remember your past searches and show you deals on destinations you've shown interest in.

Misuse

Misuse of tracking cookies occurs when companies use this data without your consent to invade your privacy or manipulate your online experience. For example, if a social media platform tracks your online activity across various websites without informing you and sells this data to companies without your knowledge, it can lead to targeted advertising that feels intrusive and unethical. This misuse can lead to privacy breaches and erode consumer trust in online platforms.

Benefits

One benefit of tracking cookies is personalized user experience. For instance, when an e-commerce website uses tracking cookies to remember items added to your shopping cart across sessions, it enhances convenience by saving your preferences and simplifying the shopping process. These cookies can also help websites remember your login details or language preferences, improving your overall browsing experience.

Conclusion

While tracking cookies can offer personalized experiences and streamline online interactions, it's crucial for consumers to understand how their data is being used and have the option to control their privacy settings. Awareness and transparency around tracking practices are essential for maintaining a fair and respectful online environment where consumer rights are protected.

Related Terms

Data PrivacyPersonal DataConsentUser ConsentInformation PrivacyCookie Consent

See Also

Behavioral TargetingBrowser FingerprintingDigital FootprintsThird-party CookiesContext CollapseDo Not TrackIncognito ModeWeb Beacon

Last Modified: 4/30/2024
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