Cookie Corner

What are technical cookies?

Technical cookies are small text files stored on the user's device by a website. They serve to enable or improve certain necessary website functions. Unlike marketing or analytics cookies, technical cookies are used exclusively for website functionality and do not collect personal data for advertising purposes.

  .---.
 /     \
|       |
| "id": |
| "sess"|
 \_____/
                    

Functions of technical cookies

Technical cookies fulfill numerous important tasks:

• Session management: They store temporary information about the user, allowing them to remain logged in during an online shop purchase.
• Language and display settings: They remember the preferred language and other display options.
• Security functions: They help authenticate users and protect against fraudulent activities.
• Load time optimization: They improve performance by caching content and reducing loading times.

How technical cookies work

// Setting a simple session cookie in JavaScript
document.cookie = "sessionId=abc123; path=/; SameSite=Strict; Secure";

// Reading cookies
function getCookie(name) {
  const cookies = document.cookie.split(';');
  for (let cookie of cookies) {
    const [cookieName, cookieValue] = cookie.trim().split('=');
    if (cookieName === name) {
      return cookieValue;
    }
  }
  return null;
}

// Example usage
const sessionId = getCookie('sessionId');

Legal aspects

The use of technical cookies is regulated by data protection laws such as the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) in many countries, especially in the EU. Unlike non-essential cookies, technical cookies generally do not require explicit user consent, as they are necessary for a website's basic function. However, website operators must inform users about the use of technical cookies in their privacy policies.

Cookie types comparison

Table: Comparison of different cookie types and their characteristics

Conclusion

Technical cookies are indispensable for the functionality and user-friendliness of modern websites. They enable stable and secure usage by storing session data, optimizing loading times, and ensuring security. Since they do not collect personal data for advertising purposes, they are considered less invasive than other types of cookies. Nevertheless, website operators should be transparent about their use to comply with data protection regulations.