Cookies on the Internet: What you need to know now! Risks and Rights!

Cookies on the Internet: What you need to know now! Risks and Rights!

On July 5, 2025, the topic of data protection and the use of cookies on the Internet is more relevant than ever. In a comprehensive discussion, it is crucial to clarify what types of cookies exist and what consequences they have for users. An article from VN.at highlights that the debate about cookies does not provide a clear answer: they can be both useful and problematic.

Cookies are essential for many internet applications such as online shopping and online banking. They enable a smooth user experience because they store information that is necessary for the function and interaction on websites. But not all cookies are the same, and the difference between them is very important.

Types of cookies and their meaning

There are different types of cookies that perform different functions:

• Session Cookies: Diese temporären Cookies werden während des Besuchs auf einer Webseite erstellt und nach Beendigung der Browsersitzung automatisch gelöscht. Sie sind hilfreich, um Warenkorbinhalte zu speichern.
• Technisch erforderliche Cookies: Diese Cookies sind zwingend notwendig für die Funktionalität einer Webseite und können ohne Zustimmung der Nutzer gesetzt werden.
• Tracking-Cookies: Im Gegensatz dazu verfolgen sie das digitale Verhalten der Nutzer über verschiedene Webseiten hinweg und erstellen individuelle Profile, was ein gewisses Sicherheitsrisiko birgt.
• Drittanbieter-Cookies: Auch Werbefirmen platzieren Cookies, um personalisierte Werbung anzuzeigen, was die Nachvollziehbarkeit der weitergeleiteten Informationen für die Nutzer erschwert.

The Baden-Württemberg consumer advice center points out that the use of cookies should always be viewed with caution. Particularly on public devices, session cookies can remain visible to others, which can lead to a potential security risk.

Regulations and user rights

The EU has strict data protection regulations, including the e-Privacy Directive and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). A recently introduced regulation in Germany, the Telecommunications Digital Services Data Protection Act (TDDDG), requires users' express consent for non-technically necessary cookies. This means that user consent cannot be preset; you have to actively agree.

Additionally, cookie banners must provide a prominent “reject all” option to allow users to manage their consent and protect their privacy.

In summary, the responsible use of cookies is a central element in the digital age. While they are necessary for many applications, it is equally important to be informed about the risks and the need for consent.

For more information about how cookies work and how to handle them, take a look at the articles from VN.at here and the consumer advice center here.