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To save you lots of time before (and after) May 25, 2018, you can use our GDPR tool for your processing index.

GDPR Tool

A cookie is a small piece of data that your browser retrieves from a website that you are visiting and stores it locally on your computer. Websites use it to identify its users.

Cookies

There are three different types of cookies:

  • Session cookies: these cookies are only used during your visit (during a session) and automatically removed when you close your browser.
    Example: a shopping cart from an online shop that keeps track of all the items that you add to your shopping basket
  • Permanent cookies: these cookies are used for future visits and will be stored on your computer even after closing your browser.
    Example: cookies that contain a token that represents your login details and password so you don't have to enter it every time you visit the site
  • Third-party cookies: these cookies are installed by third parties and used for collecting information about the visitors.
    Example: Google Analytics uses cookies to distinguish different users that are using the same IP address (because they work in an office behind a firewall)

Cookies and GDPR

The GDPR distinguishes three types of cookies:

  • Functional cookies: these cookies are needed for a properly functioning website.
    Example: for a shopping cart or to remember login credentials
  • Analytical cookies: these cookies are used to generate statistics about visitors
    Example: Google Analytics cookies
  • Tracking cookies: these cookies are used to track visitors over various websites and mailing used for marketing purposes

Cookie Tool

To see all the cookies that you get from a website, you can use a browser like Google Chrome:

  • Right Click on a web page
  • Choose "Inspect"
  • Click on [Application] tab
  • under "Cookies" you should see the site that you are visiting
  • Right click on that and choose "clear" to remove all cookies
  • If you refresh your browser then you should see what cookies are created.

You could also use some online tools to check the cookies that are set,
for example: http://www.cookie-checker.com/