Web cookies, often simply referred to as cookies, are small pieces of data that are stored on a user’s device by a web browser while browsing a website. They are created when a website is loaded and can contain information such as user preferences, session tokens, and tracking identifiers. Cookies enable websites to remember information about the user’s visit, allowing for a more personalized experience, such as keeping users logged in, remembering items in a shopping cart, or providing relevant content based on past interactions.

There are different types of cookies, including session cookies, which are temporary and deleted when the browser is closed, and persistent cookies, which remain on the user’s device for a specified period or until manually deleted. Additionally, cookies can be first-party, set by the website being visited, or third-party, set by external services or advertisers.

While cookies enhance user experience, they also raise privacy concerns, as they can be used for tracking user behavior across the web. Accordingly, many jurisdictions have regulations regarding cookie usage and require websites to obtain user consent before placing non-essential cookies on their devices.