3rd party cookie

Definition

A 3rd party cookie is a cookie that is sent from a website to a visitor that is not from that website. This cookie is often used by advertising companies to collect and track user data in order to display personalized advertisements.

How do third-party cookies work?

Third-Party-Cookies are small text files created by websites and stored on the user's computer or mobile device to collect information about the user's browsing behavior and activities on various websites. Unlike first-partyCookiescreated by the visited website itself, originate from Third-Party-Cookies from other websites or servers linked to the visited page.

To help you understand how third partyCookies to better illustrate, let's imagine you are visiting a news website. This website may have advertising banners provided by an external advertising platform, i.e. a "third party". When you visit the website, the advertising platform may store a third-party cookie on your device. This cookie collects information about which pages you visit, which ads you view, and which ads you click on.

Example:

You visit a news website (website A) and read an article about travel. The advertising platform stores a third-party cookie on your device. Later, you visit another website (website B) with the same banner ads. The cookie helps the ad platform recognize that you are interested in travel, and shows you targeted ads for travel deals on website B.

Third-Party-Cookies are often used for Online Marketing and targeted advertising are used to display personalized and relevant ads based on the user's interests and browsing behavior. In addition, they may also be used to collect web statistics, manage online advertising campaigns and improve the overall user experience.

However, third-partyCookies also have some drawbacks and privacy concerns. Because they track users' behavior across different websites, they can create detailed profiles that reveal personal information and preferences. This has recently led to growing concerns about data protection and privacy. In response, some Browsersuch as Safari and Firefox, have already started to use third partyCookies block by default, and Google Chrome is also planning to add support for third-partyCookies To adjust.

Third-party cookies and the DSVGO

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) sets out the European legal framework for data protection. When it comes to third-partyCookies goes, so Cookies, which originate from another website or third-party provider and not from the website originally visited, there are specific considerations that should be taken into account in the context of the GDPR.

1. consent: According to Art. 6 of the GDPR, a legal basis is required for the processing of personal data. In many cases, especially in the case of third-partyCookies, which are used for marketing or tracking purposes, the consent of the user is the appropriate legal basis. This means that you must give your consent before the placement of third-partyCookies must obtain the express consent of the user.

Illustration: Imagine you walk into a coffee shop and someone asks you if you would like a flyer from another coffee shop. You would expect them to ask you first before handing you that flyer. It should be the same with third-partyCookies Be - ask your visitors first before you "give" them anything.

2. transparency: According to Art. 13 and 14 GDPR, users must be informed which data are processed for which purposes, who is responsible for the processing and how long the data are stored.

Illustration: When you store in a store, you want to know exactly what you're buying, right? The same principle applies here. If you're collecting data, you should tell your visitors exactly what you're collecting and why.

3. data economy: According to Art. 5 para. 1 lit. c GDPR, only the necessary data required for the specified purpose should be processed.

Illustration: Imagine going to the doctor and being asked for your shoe size, even though it's not relevant to the treatment. That's exactly how you should go about collecting data - only ask for what you really need.

4. right of objection: Users have the right to object to the processing of their data in accordance with Art. 21 DSGVO. This must be particularly observed when data is processed for marketing purposes.

Illustration: If someone keeps sending you ads even though you've said several times that you don't want them, that would be annoying, wouldn't it? The same goes for data processing - users should have the right to say "no".

In summary, when using third partyCookies be particularly careful with regard to the GDPR. It is important to obtain the necessary consent, ensure transparency, process only the necessary data and give users the opportunity to object. In case of uncertainty, I recommend contacting a data protection officer or legal expert to ensure that all requirements are met.

Advantages

3rd party Cookies have several advantages. For one, they allow advertising companies to display more targeted ads based on users' interests. This allows them to increase the effectiveness of their advertising campaigns. In addition, 3rd party Cookies Personalize website content so that it matches user preferences. This enhances the user experience on the website.

Disadvantages

However, there are also some disadvantages of 3rd party Cookies. One of the main drawbacks is the fact that they allow advertising companies to track users' browsing activities, which some consider a privacy violation. In addition, 3rd party Cookies slow down the loading speed of websites, as they often have to send several separate requests to the web servers.

Use cases

3rd party Cookies are mainly used by advertising companies to collect and track data about users in order to display personalized advertisements. In addition, 3rd party Cookies also be used to deliver personalized content to users.

Examples

1. Google Analytics Cookies: This Cookies are used to improve the performance and Traffic of websites to measure and analyze. They are set by Google Analytics and allow the website owner to understand how its visitors use the website.
2. Facebook Pixel Cookies: This Cookies are used to measure and optimize the effectiveness of Facebook advertising campaigns. They allow companies to define target groups for their advertising and track the performance of their campaigns.
3. DoubleClick Cookies: This Cookies are used by Google to run advertising campaigns on websites on the Internet. They allow companies to target their advertising to specific audiences and track the performance of their campaigns.
4. Twitter Pixel Cookies: This Cookies are used to measure and optimize the effectiveness of Twitter advertising campaigns. They allow companies to define target groups for their advertising and track the performance of their campaigns.
5. LinkedIn Insight Tag Cookies: This Cookies are used to measure and optimize the effectiveness of LinkedIn advertising campaigns. They allow companies to define target groups for their advertising and track the performance of their campaigns.
6. YouTube Cookies: This Cookies are used to track and analyze the use of YouTube videos on websites on the Internet. They allow the website owner to understand and optimize interactions with their videos.
7. Amazon Affiliate Cookies: This Cookies are used to measure and optimize the performance of Amazon affiliate programs. They enable companies to track and analyze the performance of their affiliate marketing campaigns.
8. Pinterest tag Cookies: This Cookies are used to measure and optimize the effectiveness of Pinterest advertising campaigns. They allow companies to define target groups for their advertising and track the performance of their campaigns.

Bypass Third Party Cookies

Third-party cookies are Cookies, which are set by a domain other than the visited website. To avoid them, you can perform the following steps:

1. Use a Browser, which is the blocking of Cookies supported. For example, in Google Chrome you can use the Privacy Badger or uBlock Origin extension to block third-partyCookies to block.
2. Make sure that your Browser has the "Do Not Track" setting enabled. This sends a header value to websites indicating that you do not want personalized advertising or tracking.
3. Change the privacy settings in your Browser. In the settings you can specify that Cookies accepted only by the website you visit and not by third parties.
4. Use a virtual private network (VPN) to mask your IP address and location, making it harder for third parties to track you.
5. Use an "In-Private" or "Incognito" mode of your browser while surfing to Cookies stored on your computer.

Note that avoiding third partyCookies may affect your online experience by causing certain features of websites to stop working properly.

Conclusion

Third-Party-Cookies - What do you mean by this? Imagine you enter a café (that would be your website). While you are lingering there drinking your coffee, a person from another café (the third party) enters the room and hands you a voucher for their establishment (this is the third party cookie). You have had no direct contact with the other cafe, but still received something from them.

Let us now look at the Relevance this Cookies discuss:

1. Targeted advertising: This Cookies act as support in the Online Marketing. For example, if you search for shoes online and suddenly ads for shoes appear everywhere, this is no coincidence. Thanks to the third-partyCookies advertising networks are able to recognize your preferences.
2. Privacy concerns: The main point of criticism here is data protection. Since these Cookies do not originate from the site you are visiting, but from third-party providers, they are often considered potential privacy risks.
3. Uncertain future: It is known that various Browser already now Third-Party-Cookies block or have plans to do so in the future. The reason for this is the data protection concerns mentioned.

Conclusion: Third-Party-Cookies act as detectives, so to speak, following users around the Internet. They can be extremely useful for presenting targeted advertising and helping website operators to better understand their visitors. However, they are highly controversial due to privacy concerns. Their future appears uncertain as more and more Browser and users move to block them. This topic will certainly cause further discussions.