“We’re the cookies!” We come with consent pop-up windows, click yes! Today, our data has become the main currency on the Internet. Do you know what data you give in exchange for the services you get? Do you understand the impact of clicking “yes” or “no”? I’ll explain how to protect your Internet browsing.
With the entry into force of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe and Law 25 in Quebec, we have witnessed an increase in requirements for the protection of privacy on the Internet. Organizations can no longer collect our data without asking our permission. This is particularly important when they geolocate us, identify us or create profiles automatically.
What is a cookie?
A cookie is a small text file stored on the user’s computer by the browser when visiting a website. It generally contains an identifier and some codes. Its primary objective is to improve the user experience by remembering useful information such as browsing preferences or connection details.
However, not all cookies are created equal, and some may have broader privacy implications. Some cookies track you even if you don’t have their site window open. These are third-party cookies, placed by Facebook, Youtube or Google.
To assess your situation, go to your settings (three dots at the top right, then “Settings” in most browsers). Look for the Cookies in the menu. This is where we can protect our privacy. Choose one or two sites and look at their cookies. Although I have strict settings (or so I thought), these sites collect a lot of information about me. Here, for example, below are the Facebook and Google cookies added to a newspaper site.
How are cookies essential and positive?
Cookies are no problem. They can only be consulted by the site which deposited them. I use them to show you my site in the language of your choice. They are very practical for storing a shopping cart or search information.
It’s the same when you walk into a coffee shop and the staff recognize you, greet you by name and make your usual coffee. To be precise, the cookie is a text file that I place on your computer. A label with the code “en” on your forehead. Only I can see it, and when you come back, I know you want my site in English.
Why is collecting cookies problematic?
However, some organizations use these cookies for more questionable things, like ad targeting. It all starts from the IP address. It contains your country, your region, your city or even your neighborhood and the name of your Internet provider. Combined with the type of device and browser used, it’s easy to know who is browsing the internet. This is useful for showing you the correct version and language of a site. It’s like walking down the street with your address plastered on your forehead.
With third-party cookies, your history and your entire profile are combined into powerful databases. There we have robots from Google, Facebook or YouTube, which are in the café. They record your presence, the date, the time and your consumption. But they’re also in the clothing store, at the bus stop, and anywhere else someone let them in. So they collect information and you have ads at home for things you watched at the office.
In my metaphor, these robots stick labels to you in each place you visit, then billboards or certain sites read this information to offer you a very personalized experience. It’s like walking into a store with your address, income, likes and latest purchases displayed on your forehead. Embarrassing, isn’t it?
Data collection using cookies, especially when carried out on a large scale by third parties such as advertising networks, leads to intrusive monitoring of users’ online activities.
Pop-ups are back!
I’m old enough to remember the beginnings of the Internet and the first pop-ups, these advertising windows that were constantly displayed. Used by hackers to infect with viruses, their use has declined. Lately, they’ve come back in force to invite me to download a white paper or access free content, and now it’s to accept cookies. So, we click to continue our navigation.
Some sites require these cookies. They sell the data they collect about you. This is their means of financing. This economic model which values data can no longer do so without telling us. But it’s not always clear.
How to manage cookies responsibly?
If each site asks you what information you agree to share, you can (and should) check your web browser settings.
Please note: the web browser on your phone is not always the same as that on your computer.
You can manage cookies through browser settings, choosing to accept, decline or customize cookies according to your personal preferences. Details for each browser are available on the about cookies website .
Websites must, for their part, offer clear and transparent options for cookie consent, allowing users to make informed choices about their personal data. This responsible management of cookies is essential to maintain a balance between functionality and privacy.
In conclusion, cookies are useful and essential to simplify our lives on the Internet. We must realize that a new currency is being made from our data. It’s up to us to decide how and with whom we share them.