Cookies are small strings of text exchanged between a website and the user’s browser each time an internet site is accessed. These strings, which do not contain any executable code, are used for a variety of activities, such as performing automatic authentications, keeping track of sessions, storing information to improve the website’s navigability or the user’s browsing experience. Each domain visited using a browser can set one or more cookies. An internet page may contain objects from many different domains, and each of them may set cookies (in this case referred to as “third-party cookies”). The use of cookies makes it possible to improve your experience on the website and may store your settings so they can be recalled on your next visit.
The general provision of the Privacy Authority (OJ no. 126 of 3 June 2014) defines two types of cookies:
- Technical cookies – Used for the sole purpose of enabling the transmission of a communication, completing a service requested by the user or performing statistical analysis.
- Profiling cookies – Used to record a user’s behaviour and preferences in order to send advertising messages matching their profile.