What are cookies and why are they important?

When you visit a website, you often see a message stating, “This website uses cookies.” In most cases, websites request permission to collect certain information about you. However, many people don’t fully understand what cookies are or what a cookie policy entails. While most internet users accept cookies without a second thought, others are more cautious and choose to decline them. 

Let’s explore what cookies are, whether they store essential personal data, and what you need to know about GDPR—the General Data Protection Regulation.

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that websites store on a user's device—whether a computer, phone, or tablet. They contain various pieces of information that help websites recognize users and provide personalized experiences.

Simply put, cookies are a technical tool that enables a website to "remember" users, making interactions more convenient and tailored. For example, on sites where users register, cookies store login details like email addresses or saved preferences. This means users don’t have to re-enter the same information every time, saving time and improving the overall browsing experience.

It should also be noted that you can delete cookies at any time from the settings of the web browser on your device.

Types of Cookies

Cookies are divided into four main categories:

• Essential Cookies – These cookies are necessary for the website to function properly and to provide a smooth user experience during a session. They help with authentication, ensure security during a session, and remember items in the shopping cart. Typically, they disappear immediately after the session ends or are stored for a limited time. These cookies cannot be disabled, as they are essential for the basic functions of the website to work smoothly.
• Functional Cookies – These cookies store user-selected settings, such as the website’s language, theme, or even font size. Their main purpose is to ensure that these preferences remain unchanged during future visits to the site.
• Analytics Cookies – These cookies help website owners understand how users interact with their site. They collect statistical information, such as which pages are the most popular, how long users stay on the site on average, and where they come from — whether from a social network or a search engine. A common example is Google Analytics, which gathers data on user behavior, allowing site owners to improve website content and navigation based on user experience.
• Marketing Cookies – These cookies are designed to collect information about user interests and online behavior to deliver personalized advertisements. They store data on which pages you visit, which products or services you are interested in, and what you last searched for.

The difference between the two is that marketing cookies show ads based on your interests, while analytics cookies help the website owner understand how users interact with the platform.

What is a Cookie Policy, and Why Is It Important?

If a website uses cookies for certain purposes, it usually provides users with a cookie policy (often as part of the site's "privacy policy"). However, if a website only uses essential cookies, it may limit itself to a simple message such as "We use cookies," while in other cases, the user must be given the opportunity to consent to access.

This is not just a gesture of goodwill on the part of the website. For example, the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requires companies to inform users about how they use their data. This means websites must offer us a choice about whether or not to share our actions with them.

Although GDPR is not yet mandatory in Georgia, many Georgian websites, especially those targeting international audiences, provide users with information and allow them to manage cookies. This helps the website maintain user trust and adhere to modern standards.

To summarize, a cookie management policy is important because:

Third-Party Cookies 

Besides first-party cookies, sent to your device by the website you’re on, there are third-party cookies. These are set by external entities — like ad companies or analytics tools such as Google Ads or Facebook — not the site itself. They monitor actions like the pages you visit, products you check out, or terms you search for, using this info to display personalized ads on other sites. For example, if you look at headphones on one site, a third-party cookie might trigger headphone ads elsewhere. However, this raises privacy concerns, leading browsers like Safari and Firefox to block them.

Q&A

When should we accept cookies?
As mentioned earlier, sometimes consent for cookies is necessary, especially when a website cannot function without them. In such cases, first check what the site is asking for. If the cookies are only needed for basic functions (e.g., to ensure the page works properly), you can safely agree.

How necessary are third-party cookies?
If a site uses third-party cookies, some users may prefer to be cautious. This is because it means your data could be shared with other companies without your knowledge. In such cases, to protect your privacy, you can choose not to consent to third-party cookies.

What happens if I refuse cookies?
If you refuse cookies, you may not be able to access some websites, and on others, you may have fewer features. For example, ads won’t be personalized to you, and you may need to log in again each time.

Do all sites need cookies?
No, some simple, single-page websites with just text may not use cookies at all. However, if the website requires registration, cookies are necessary.

Can cookies pass on my card details to third parties?
Cookies themselves cannot pass on your bank card details to third parties, as they only store the information collected by the website. However, if a website asks for your card details (e.g. card number, CVV) and also requests the use of cookies, there could be some risk. Allowing cookies on an untrusted or insecure site can make it easier for hackers to steal your data, especially if you’ve consented to third-party cookies. Therefore, in such cases, it’s better to refuse cookies.

In general, always ensure that the site is trustworthy before entering any personal information!