The Cookie Policy is enacted by legislative bodies to safeguard the privacy of internet users all around the world. Whenever customers visit a new website, it automatically sends the users the policy notification making the users aware of. The notification contains information about the data being collected about the users and the manner in which they are put to use.

Apart from this, the policy also makes the users aware about the information which the website stores on their computer, smartphone or any other device which they are using to access the website.

The users are free to consent the terms and conditions of the policy or not, depending on their wishes. If they accept, they are allowed to probe further into the site whilst on denying the customer is redirected to another web page or back to the search results where they started from.

The History and Uses

The Cookie Policy started out as an EU Directive back in May 2011. According to the directive, all individuals gaining access to a website have the right to accept or refuse the use of cookies. As cookies tend to reduce the privacy of users on the Internet, websites need to mandatory enquire the user for confirmation before storing cookies on the user’s computer. However, privacy laws regarding cookies tend to differ depending on the country in which you reside.

Cookies are stored as small text files that websites store on people’s computers to access some basic data when the users visit or return to the site.

Every time that the user returns, the website accesses the files required to remember the device used to access the site the first time. This remembrance is then used by the website for numerous purposes to alleviate the efforts the user as well the website.

One of the well-known examples of cookie usage is the login information stored on the computers of the users. Whenever a user creates an account associated with a website, the login details such as username, password etc.are stored on the user’s  personal computer. Whenever the user returns to the same site, he does not need to enter his login details thereafter, as long as the cookies are retained in his computer.

The Cookie Policy Template

The Cookie Policy Laws are primarily designed either by the US or the UK. Other countries around the world dictate their own laws in accordance with these two.

Due to this, the Cookie Policy tends to differ depending on the country in which you reside.

In spite of this, there are few constants which are present in every Cookie Law ever created. A typical Cookie Policy includes:

  1. Information that the website makes use of cookies
  2. The definition or explanation of cookies
  3. The type of cookies being used by you as well as any third party involved
  4. How users can choose to not allow cookies to be placed on their devices.

Almost all of the policies are presented to by a notification or a banner which appears in the center of the screen. They restrict any further access to the website until the user makes a choice of accepting orrefusing the terms.

Both the banner as well the notification constitute of everything that a typical Cookie Policy should contain.

They make the users aware of the fact that the website makes use of cookies and what these cookies will do. Next, they explain what cookies are in a simple language for everyone to comprehend the policy easily. Finally, the users can choose to accept or deny the cookies from the website.

One of the best examples of Cookie Policy template is served by The Guardian website. Here’s how the template works:

1.First of all the website displays their Cookie Policy.

  1. Next, the template explains the user about the function of the cookies used by the website.

The whole template is performed in a Q&A format so that the customer can easily understand the entire policy.

EU Cookie Policy Template

The EU Cookie Policy started merely as a directive back in May 2011. Later on, the directive evolved to become the EU Cookie Legislation intended to protect the privacy of user online. This policy has been variated and adoptedby various countries around the world.

The EU Cookie Legislation requires users to perform the four basic functions which have been aforementioned. These include:

  1. letting users know about the usage of cookies
  2. providing detailed information about the modus operandi of utilizing cookie data
  3. providing visitors with the means to accept or refuse the use of cookies
  4. ensuring that cookies are not placed on the machine if the users reject the use of cookies

The Mandatory Cookies Exception

However, the EU is also well aware of the fact not all cookies require the consent of the user. On the contrary, these cookies are a predominant factor in the proper functioning of the website. These cookies have the tag of being strictly necessary to fulfill the site functions.

The EU understands this. Hence, they make an exception for such cookies when they are being stored on a computer.

The best example of strictly necessary cookies is witnessed in the realm of online retail. Often, customers add products to their carts which they intend to purchase at a later date. Bearing in mind that they would purchase the goods, they would be highly dismayed if they don’t find the products in their shopping cart. Subsequently, they would need to find the same goods again.

This, in turn,would lead to a lot of hassles.

Due to this, it is mandatory for such sites to store cookies on the customer’s customer. Opting out of cookies on such sites would be equivalent to not visiting the site at all. And asking for customers whether they want to opt for cookies in such sites would be equivalent to asking whether need water for survival.

However, the mandatory Cookie Law lies in a gray area. It is still very far from being perfectly defined. EU guidelines mention that strictly necessary cookies should not be prevented storage as they are stored only for the purpose of carrying out communications over an electronic network. These cookies are necessary for the website to provide a service requested by the user himself.

Therefore, people who are uncertain should always consult their local regulators to know more about the Cookie Policy guidelines of their country.

Cookie Policy Template for Google Analytics

Google Analytics is a free analytics tool provided by Google for performing statistical and basic analytical functions. One of the most used functions of the Analytics tool is in search engine optimization and marketing.

The tool can help users to check out various important statistical data such as website traffic, geographic locations of users etc. The service can also incorporate AdWords, another service by Google, to provide exemplary advertising capabilities.

However, in the midst of providing these services, Google makes use of cookies. The cookies used, help the search giant to gather information about identifying users, their sessions on a website or application, gather and store important information etc. Due to this, the Analytics tool has its own set of Cookie Policies which a user needs to accept. In order for a person to use the Analytics tools, he or she must agree to the Google Analytics Terms of Service.

As Google Analytics uses cookies, it automatically comes under the terms and requirements of the EU Cookies Directive. Therefore, it requires the user to comply with the laws before making use of the tool. Hence, if you decide to use the tool, you must have a cookie policy which should be made completely clear to the people who are accessing a website or an application.

In such a case, the template for creating a Cookie Policy can be done in two ways. You can either create a separate Cookie Policy, considering the needs of the user. Or you can also place the Cookie Policy in the midst of your Privacy Policy.

  1. A Separate Cookie Policy – There are numerous perks of using a separate clause for displaying the website cookie policy. By using a separate area for the policy, you can easily add a link to the actual policy page so that users can clearly discern it and proceed on to the detailed page if they wish to. Apart from this, adding a separate policy allows the user to prevent overloading of the Privacy Policy and flooding users with one long legal agreement.

There are numerous web services which make use of an independent cookie policy. These include Slack, YuMe, LinkedIn, Vimeo etc.

  1. A Cookie Policy Clause in the Privacy Policy – Using a Cookie Policy clause along with the Privacy Policy allows the developers to skip having another clause and simply go with a section dedicated to it. The section should, however, be made discernable enough so that it is clearly visible to the customer.

Some web services which choose this format of making users aware of cookies are Medallia, Drift, Oracle etc. Normally, these services add a robust and extensive section in their Privacy Policy and dignify it by branching out all the details regarding The Cookie Policy.

Therefore, both types of templates are acceptable, be it using a separate cookie policy or adding a clause in the Privacy Policy itself. Whatever the means be, however, both of them should be capable enough to furnish users with the aforementioned required information about cookies and their use.

People who use Google Analytics need to take care of a few aspects of the EU Cookies Directive in order to stay compliant. These are:

  1. Possessing a Privacy Policy
  2. Possessing a separate Cookie Policy or a Cookie Policy Clause within their Privacy Policy
  3. A banner or a notification informing users about the usage of cookies
  4. Receiving consent from users
  5. Providing users with a method to opt out of receiving cookies

GDPR Compliant Cookie Policy Template

GDPR stands for General Data Protection Regulation. All transactions generated by customers under the European Union are protected by the GDPR.

The GDPR compliant cookie policy is perhaps one of the most significant steps taken to protect the privacy of users on the Internet. The GDPR is an 88-page long resolution in which cookies have been mentioned just once. In spite of this, those few lines have a vast impact on the usage and abidance of cookies.

The GDPR says that when natural persons are associated with online identifiers such as IP addresses or cookies, the data generated can be considered as personal data. This is because the data can be used to associate profiles with natural persons.

Due to this, the GDPR gives users the right to receive information on the data being stored. The information includes:

  1. The data being registered about them at all times.
  2. Use of the data that is being stored
  3. The destination point of the data

The rules of GDPR affect the cookie policy immensely. Whensending a notification, websites need to mention cookie usage, consent of the users and the documentation of the consent. The application of the law also means that website creators need to curate a propercookie policy on their website. A proper cookie policy should containspecific, accurate, and up to date information regarding the use of cookies and the users’ choice of accepting or rejecting them.

The GDPR also draws a fine line between cookie policy and the privacy policy. It explains that the cookie policy deals specifically with the use of cookies while the privacy policy deals with the general privacy of users on the Internet.

Apart from this, the cookies also differ from the privacy policy in:

  1. Cookies tend to change often. Due to this, the Cookie Policy also needs to be updated frequently to keep the users aware.
  2. Cookies operate behind the scenes. They are hidden to the degreethat most website owners don’t have any idea about them.
  3. A lot of cookies are usually developed by third parties. Only a minuscule number of cookies emergefrom the website itself.

A Standard Cookie Policy for Website

Creating a standard cookie policy isn’t too tough. It contains a few generic sections prevalent on almost all cookie policies. These are:

  1. Introduction to Cookies – A Cookie Policy always starts with an explanation of what cookies are, how they are applied, and the user’s role in consenting to their use.
  2. Types of Cookies – Next, explain the type of cookies used on the website. There could be multiple counts of cookies being used on your website such as first-party cookies, third-party cookies, session cookies etc.
  3. State the privacy and security statutes clearly – Since, the online privacy of the usersis at stake on the Internet, the Cookie Policy should address the concerns regarding the ability of cookies to track and send personal data. They should provide a contact email or number which users can use in the case for any further doubts.
  4. Explain the methods in which cookies are used – Make sure to go into detail about the method in which cookies are used. You should make it a point to describe specifically about the type and cause of cookies being used. You should also describe how using cookies benefits both you and the user.
  5. Describe how the user can control the cookies – Make sure that you allow the user to be the final determiner for the cookie usage. Allow them the functionality to delete the cookies, if they wish to do so. Provide instructions on deleting or blocking cookies. However, you should make it known that doing socould severely restrict various features prevalent on the site.

Cookie Statements for Website

A few cookie statements which website owners frequently make use of are:

  1. Our website uses cookies to allow our site to function at its utmost potential.
  2. The cookie filesbeing stored allows your devices to be recognizedand make your visit to the site a lot easier. In turn, our Service can become more useful to you.
  3. The cookies are used for the following purposes:
  4. To enable certain functions of our service.
  5. To provide analytics.
  6. To store your preferences.
  7. To enable advertisements.
  8. We also use cookies from various third-parties to record various usage statistics such as user traffic, advertisement requirement etc.

The Best Cookie Policy Generators

Generating or creating cookie policies isn’t as hard as it was a few years ago. With the help of online cookie policy generators, you can generate your policy within a few seconds. All that you need to do is choose your preferences, the constituents of the policy, and you can do it in a few minutes.

A few of the best cookie policy generators out there are:

  1. Iubenda – Iubenda is an online policy generator which takes over the legal requirements of a website and makes them compliant with the EU and other such legislation.

Link – https://www.iubenda.com/en/

  1. GetTerms.io – GetTerms is an online policy generator which can be used for generating simple Terms of Service for the Cookie Policy as well as a Privacy Statement, compliant with the website.

Link – https://getterms.io/

  1. Termageddon – Termageddon helps the user to provide a Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy for their website which gets updated whenever the law changes.

Link – https://termageddon.com/

  1. UK Cookie Consent by Catapult Themes – The UK Cookie Consent is a plugin which can be applied easily on websites built on WordPress. It is incredibly simple and can be configured to suit your uses. It has a dedicated cookie bar for direct interaction with the cookie policy options.

Link – https://en-gb.wordpress.org/plugins/uk-cookie-consent/

  1. The EU Cookie Law Plugin – The EU Cookie Law Plugin is another WordPress plugin. It has had plenty of positive reviews and thousands of downloads. It provides a simple interface with a powerful functionality using which you can get all the functions required to develop a cookie policy.

Link – https://wordpress.org/plugins/eu-cookie-law/

Q&A Examples To Be Used in Your Cookie Policy

Often Cookie Policies are designed in a Q&A format to assist users in easy comprehension. You could create a similar cookie policy. Here are a few typical Q&A which you could include in your Cookie Policy.

Q1. What is the Cookie Policy?

Ans. The Cookie Policy is enacted by legislative bodies in the EU to safeguard the privacy of internet users all around the world.

Q2. What is the purpose ofimplementing a Cookie Policy?

Ans. Whenever customers visit a new website, it automatically sends a notification to the users making them aware of the Cookie Policy. The notification contains information about the data being collected and the manner in which they are used. The policy also makes users aware of the information being stored on the device being used to access the website.

The users are free to consent the terms and conditions of the policy or not, depending on their wishes. If they accept, they are allowed to probe further into the site. On denying, they are directed back to the search results where they started from.

Q3. Does the United States have a structured and predefinedCookie Policy?

Ans. The US does not have any pre-defined Cookie Law. Due to this, a majority of US websites do not need to act in accordance with any regulations. That is, unless, the websites have a target audience in Europe or any other country which lies under the EU regulations.

Q4. Are cookies personal data?

Ans. Cookies can be personal data. In accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation, even if online identifiers do not directly associate themselves with an individual, they will be considered personal data if there is a potential for the individual to be identified. Any cookie that identifies the device on which it is stored fits the criteria for personal data.

Q5. What are cookies in technology terms?

Ans. Cookies are small data files which are rendered by a website. It performs the function of remembering all information linking you to the website accessed. This can be compared to a preference file which is created by software applications.

Different types of cookies perform different functions, however, the most notable functions are of storing login information preventing you from entering it every time that you access the website.

Q6. Are cookies from the Internet bad for you?

Ans. Internet Cookies are neither bad nor good. They are just means by which the Internet works.Cookies help in the proper functioning of a website so that the user can exploit itsmaximum capabilities.

Q7. Are cookies harmful to your computer?

Ans. Cookies are installed as text files on the computer by the website. These are not viruses, malware or other malicious software which can harm the computer.

Q8. Are cookies safe?

Ans. Cookies are not safe by themselves. However, websites usually encrypt the data on these cookies so that they are readable only by the website and no-one else.

Q9. Is accepting cookies from the Internet alright?

Ans. It is completely OK to accept cookies and you don’t exactly need to be selective about it. As aforementioned, cookies aren’t exactly viruses or malware which form to be threats. Apart from this, cookies are text files which can be deleted if you wish.

Q10. What can cookies do?

Ans. Cookies are text files containing information that is stored in the browser. These cookies can help in remembering the information about a certain website such as cart details from an online retail website.

Q11. How do I eliminate cookies?

Ans. Cookies are stored in the web browser itself. So, the web browser provides options to delete or eliminate the cookies too. You can easily delete the cookies using the delete browsing history option which has a check-box for deleting cookies. Checking this option will remove all the cookies.

Q12. Is a Cookie Policy a Legal Requirement?

Ans. Having a cookie policy on your website is a legal requirement. This was made mandatory by the EU when the directive was passed. All websites which are owned under the EU or have an audience under the EU need to compulsorily own a cookie policy.

Q13. Does GDPR require cookie consent?

Ans. With the coming of GDPR or General Data Protection Regulation, you will mandatorily need to revise your cookie policy so that you are in accordance with the regulations.

Q14. Do I need a cookie policy for Google Analytics?

Ans. If you own a website which functions under the EU or at an EU audience, then you need to mandatorily put in place a cookie policy for Google Analytics. This is because the EU Directive requires a Cookies Policy.

Q15. What is does cookie policy under the EU stand for?

Ans. The passing of Directive 2009/136/EC came to be known as the Cookie Law. According to the policy, websites need to obtain consent from their web visitors before they can store or retrieve information on or from a visitor’s computer.

Q16. What does cookie consent mean?

Ans. Cookie consent refers to the process which you undergo to obtain consent from your visitors for storing cookies on their device.

Q17. What does the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations of the year 2003 state?

Ans. According to the Privacy and Electronic Communication Regulations 2003, it is unlawful to use any form of user data, such as automated recorded message, without the prior consent of the user.

Q18. How are the Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy related?

Ans. The Cookie Policy lies within the Privacy Policy. It is committed to regulating the fair use of cookies. Often, web developers create a separate section for the Cookie Policy for web users to go through it conveniently.

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