August 9, 2025
2 min read
Cookies, also referred to as HTTP cookies, browser cookies, or web cookies, are small data files transmitted by websites and stored in the user's browser or device storage. Upon subsequent visits, servers retrieve these files to tailor user experience, optimize authentication, and facilitate session management (Niemelä et al., 2019). The data within cookies is plain text and typically includes:
The primary functions of cookies are as follows:
"Cookies are essential for the modern web experience but raise privacy concerns due to their tracking capabilities" (Ayensu-Coker et al., 2020). Regulatory frameworks such as the GDPR and ePrivacy Directive in the EU require explicit user consent for non-essential cookies (Kulyk et al., 2020).
A study by Englehardt and Narayanan (2016) highlights that over 90% of websites use tracking cookies for third-party advertising networks, raising potential for data misuse if not managed responsibly. For example:
Despite their utility, cookies have limitations:
"The use of cookies must balance usability enhancements with robust privacy protections", as observed in multiple comparative analyses (Sanchez-Rola et al., 2019).
