Websites today implement comprehensive cookie consent systems to inform users about data processing activities that occur when they browse online. These systems are designed to provide transparency about how personal information and device data are collected, processed, and shared with various third parties.
When users visit websites, multiple types of data are processed including end device information and personal data such as IP addresses and browser information. This processing serves several key purposes including integrating content from external sources, incorporating third-party services and elements, conducting statistical analysis and measurements, delivering personalized advertising, and enabling social media integration functionality.
The data collection process involves storing and accessing information on user devices through various technologies. Cookies, device identifiers, and similar online tracking tools such as login-based identifiers, randomly assigned identifiers, and network-based identifiers work together with other information to create user profiles. This additional information includes browser type and specifications, language preferences, screen size, and supported technologies, all of which help websites recognize devices each time they connect to applications or websites.
Website operators use this data to measure content performance and understand user engagement patterns. Information about which content is presented to users and how they interact with it helps determine whether non-advertising content successfully reaches its intended audience and aligns with user interests. This includes tracking whether users read articles, watch videos, listen to podcasts, or view product descriptions, as well as monitoring time spent on services and web pages visited.
The data processing extends to audience analysis through statistical methods and combinations of data from different sources. Reports are generated based on combined data sets including user profiles, statistics, market research, and analytics data regarding user interactions with both advertising and non-advertising content. This analysis helps identify common characteristics among users and determines which target audiences are more receptive to specific ad campaigns or certain types of content.
Importantly, depending on the specific functions being performed, user data may be passed on to up to 28 different third parties who then process this information for their own purposes. However, users maintain control over this data collection as consent is voluntary and not required for basic website use. Users can revoke their consent at any time using an icon typically located on the bottom left of the website, providing them with ongoing control over their data privacy preferences.
