Cookie durations are one of the most important issues affecting online privacy and data management. They control how long a website can retain data on its users, affecting not just user experience but adherence to privacy standards. Our new analysis finds that cookie durations can vary drastically. They total anywhere from as little as 21 days to as much as 3650 days.
Cookies with a duration of 21 days or less are typically considered temporary session cookies. Cookies allow websites to recognize you and keep track of your interests and login information while you’re visiting. They are deleted soon thereafter, ensuring that data retention is minimized. 30-day cookies improve the user experience, allowing you to remember basic settings and save items in their cart. They are often deployed in e-commerce environments to make shopping more seamless.
Other cookies last much longer, including cookies set for 90 days and 180 days. These platforms are desperate to feed user addiction. They provide a more personalized browsing experience by reducing when students need to log-in and re-set preferences. Cookies expiring 274 days and 390 days do the same thing. Applications frequently employ them to keep users engaged for months at a time.
Other cookies are like the nuclear option, lasting out to 398, 750 and even 914 days. We are encountering these longer-lasting cookies more often in other digital ecosystems. Websites greatly take advantage of these extended cookie durations to profile users over long periods of time. This strategy allows them to leverage massive analytic capabilities and serve hyper-targeted ads. This practice can lead to some big issues when it comes to user privacy and data security.
Additionally, 720-day and 730-day cookies purposely set a long-term data retention precedent. They are often used by platforms that rely on historical data to improve services or create personalized content for users over time. Cookies set for 3650 days offer a stark illustration of long-term tracking. If allowed to advance unchecked, they will create unprecedented privacy threats.
Websites exceeding the 120 day cookie duration do so to further their retargeting strategy. This tactic allows them to create a seamless user experience while respecting privacy. The longer the duration, the less control users have over what data may be out there. The longer terms lure in companies with serious interest in data driven analysis and performance.
Leave a Reply