Third-party cookies: what are they and how do they work?

What is a Third-Party Cookie?

A third-party cookie is a small text file created and stored on a user's device by a website other than the one the user is currently visiting. These cookies are generated by external domains and are mainly used to track user activity on multiple websites, providing useful data for targeted advertising and user behaviour analysis.

Recently, the attention paid to third-party cookies has grown exponentially among website owners and Internet users. Before the introduction of the GDPR, in fact, there was no particular attention paid to these small text files. Advertisers and third-party providers collected personal data and monitored users' online activities without facing legal consequences. In this text, we will explore third-party cookies in detail, the concerns they raise among publishers and advertisers, and how to use them legally.

Comparison between First-Party and Third-Party Cookies

First-party cookies are created directly by the website the user is visiting to improve the user experience and the functionality of the site. For example, first-party cookies can remember the login information of regular users.

Third-party cookies, on the other hand, are generated and inserted by a site other than the one the user is visiting. When a website includes external elements such as images or advertisements, these third parties can respond to requests by inserting a cookie in the user's browser.

Why Third Party Cookies are a privacy concern

Third party cookies raise privacy concerns because they allow personal data to be collected without the direct control of the website visited.

In fact, the privacy risks associated with third-party cookies are considered significant, as they can collect data about users on multiple websites, which can be sold to third parties without their consent. Furthermore, many users are unaware that their data is being collected and shared through third-party cookies while browsing and shopping.

Creation of Third-Party Cookies

Third-party cookies are created when a site requests resources or loads scripts from an external domain. However, loading the script and storing the associated cookies must be subject to user consent.

How Third-Party Cookies Work

Have you ever seen adverts that seem to follow you as you browse different websites? This phenomenon is made possible thanks to third-party cookies.

Other storage techniques besides cookies

In addition to cookies, there are other advanced techniques for tracking and storing user data, with fingerprinting being one of the most sophisticated and debated in terms of privacy.

Types of fingerprinting

  • Browser Fingerprinting: collects information from the browser to identify a user.
  • Device Fingerprinting: includes hardware and software data to identify a device.
  • Canvas Fingerprinting: uses HTML5 to create a unique identification.

Let's go back to Third-Party Cookies. Are they harmful?

Although they are not inherently harmful, the use of third-party cookies for tracking and targeted advertising has raised privacy concerns among users.

How to check Third-Party Cookies on Your Site

To check if your site uses third-party cookies, you can do it manually through your browser settings or use free online cookie scanning tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the GDPR say about Third-Party Cookies?
The GDPR requires websites to obtain user consent before storing third-party cookies.

Is it safe to allow third-party cookies?
If you are not comfortable with third-party platforms tracking your online activities for targeted advertising, it is best not to accept them.

A reliable consent platform with My Agile Privacy

To simplify compliance processes and protect you from penalties, you can use compliant software such as My Agile Privacy.

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