In the context of data privacy, what is a cookie?

A cookie is best understood as a small piece of data stored on a user's computer by a web browser. This data is created when a user visits a website and is used to recognize the user on future visits. Cookies can store various types of information, such as user preferences, session tokens, and tracking data that help websites enhance the user experience by remembering login details, keeping track of items in shopping carts, and providing personalized content.

Cookies play a vital role in web navigation and user engagement, allowing sites to remember previous actions and improve interaction. They can also be classified into different types, such as session cookies, which are temporary and expire once the browser is closed, and persistent cookies, which remain on the user's device for a specific duration or until manually deleted.

Understanding cookies is crucial in the context of data privacy, as they often involve the collection of personal data, raising concerns over user consent and data protection regulations. This underscores the importance of transparency and control that websites must provide users regarding the use of cookies, particularly under frameworks like GDPR.