What are cookies and what are the main rules for setting cookies?

Cookies are small pieces of information that websites put on users' computers to remember things.

Cookies can do several things. They can track which pages users view and how long they stay on your website. Sometimes they can also remember things like login details and user preferences. This ensures that the website works better and that it remembers things that the user finds important. Cookies thus collect information about the user's behaviour on the website and try to make the user's experience better.

There are certain rules governing the use of cookies, especially when it comes to privacy. Sometimes, as a website, you have to specifically ask permission to place cookies on the user's device. You also have to clearly show which cookies you use and for what purpose. You have to be transparent.

There are two types of cookies: necessary and non-necessary.

• Functional cookies fall under the category of necessary cookies. Necessary cookies are the basic things a website needs to work properly, such as logging in and remembering things in a shopping cart. They do not require special permission.
• Commercial cookies usually fall under the category of non-necessary cookies. They are used to track users and show them targeted ads based on what they do on the internet (browsing behaviour). These are also known as tracking cookies. These cookies can be placed by the website itself (first-party cookies) but also by e.g. advertisers (third-party cookies).

For these cookies, you have to ask permission from the user. This consent must be informed and voluntary. This can be done, for instance, by checking boxes in a cookie banner, in which you refer to the cookie or privacy statement. In such a statement, you should explain which cookies are used and why.

Cookies can be very useful, but there are also rules attached to them. It is important to be transparent about your use of cookies and to ask permission for non-essential cookies.