Batch of the day - Guidance about the use of cookies on UK websites v0.2 - Flipbook - Page 5
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Causing quite the stir…
About cookies (and similar technologies)
Cookies are small text files that store data. They are the primary tool used to track online activity which is
Purpose
Strictly necessary cookies. These cookies are essential, e.g., to enable a website to be
browsed. These cookies will generally be first-party session cookies. While it is not
required to obtain consent for these cookies, what they do and why they are necessary
should be explained to the user.
then utilised for marketing/advertising purposes. Also used to store or gain access to information on
Preferences cookies (aka ‘functional’ or ‘functionality’ cookies). These cookies allow
someone’s device are tracking pixels and plugins. From now on the term ‘cookies’ will be used to refer to
a website to remember choices made by users, e.g., username and password.
these and other similar technologies.
Statistics cookies (aka ‘analytics’ and ‘performance’ cookies). These cookies collect
information e.g., which webpages are visited, and which links are clicked on.
There are different ways to classify cookies. The ICO categorises them as follows:
Marketing cookies (aka ‘targeting’ cookies). These cookies track online activity.
Duration
Session cookies – These cookies are temporary and expire once a browser is closed (or when a
session ends).
Persistent cookies — These cookies remain on the hard drive of a device until erased or they expire.
All persistent cookies have an expiration date written into their code, but their duration can vary.
According to ‘cookie law’, they should not last longer than 12 months.
In addition, there are ‘First Party’ and ‘Third Party’ cookies.
First-party cookies — cookies placed on a device directly by the service provider, e.g., the website being
visited.
Third-party cookies — cookies placed on a device by a third party such as an advertiser or an analytics system.
Although these are the main ways of classifying cookies there are cookies that will not fit neatly into these
categories or may qualify for multiple categories.