Yahoo has provided detailed information about its corporate structure and data collection practices, clarifying that it operates as part of a larger family of brands. The company outlined how it uses cookies and similar technologies across its various platforms to deliver services to users worldwide.
The Yahoo brand family encompasses several well-known digital properties that the company owns and operates. These platforms include the flagship Yahoo service, AOL, the technology news site Engadget, the lifestyle platform In The Know, and Makers.Yahoo. Each of these properties serves different user demographics and content categories while operating under the broader Yahoo umbrella.
When users access Yahoo's websites and mobile applications, the company employs cookies and similar storage technologies to enhance the user experience. These cookies, which include related technologies such as web storage, enable website and application operators to store and retrieve information from users' devices. Yahoo has emphasized that users can consult the company's comprehensive cookie policy to learn more about these practices and understand how their data is being handled.
The company uses cookies for several specific purposes that are essential to its operations. First, cookies help Yahoo provide and maintain its websites and applications, ensuring they function properly for users. Second, these technologies are used to authenticate users, helping to verify their identities when they log into their accounts. Additionally, cookies play a crucial role in implementing security measures, preventing spam, and protecting against various forms of abuse that could compromise user safety.
Yahoo also utilizes cookies and related technologies to measure user engagement across its platforms. The company tracks the number of visitors to its web pages and monitors the types of devices users employ, specifically noting whether they are using iOS or Android systems. Browser information is also collected to understand user preferences and optimize the experience accordingly.
Furthermore, Yahoo measures how long users spend on its websites and within its mobile applications. The company has stated that this measurement data is collected in an aggregated format, meaning it is compiled into general statistics rather than being linked to specific individual users. This approach helps protect user privacy while still allowing Yahoo to understand usage patterns and improve its services based on collective user behavior.
