What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored in your browser by websites you visit. They serve both legitimate and privacy-invasive purposes:

Essential Cookies: Remember your login status, shopping cart contents, language preferences. These are necessary for the website to function.

Analytics Cookies: Track how you use a website — which pages you visit, how long you stay, what you click. Used to improve the site experience.

Advertising/Tracking Cookies: Follow you across multiple websites to build a profile of your interests and behavior. Used to serve targeted advertisements.

The first category is non-controversial. The third category is the reason cookie consent banners exist everywhere — they represent a form of surveillance that requires your informed consent.

The Consent Landscape

GDPR (EU): Requires explicit, informed consent before setting non-essential cookies. Pre-ticked checkboxes don't count. Websites must clearly explain what cookies do and allow granular choices.

ePrivacy Directive (EU): Specifically addresses electronic communications privacy, including cookies. Works alongside GDPR.

CCPA (California): Requires a "Do Not Sell My Personal Information" link. Less strict on cookie consent than GDPR but gives consumers the right to opt out of data sales.

PECR (UK): UK's implementation of the ePrivacy Directive, maintained post-Brexit. Requires consent for non-essential cookies.

The patchwork of regulations means that privacy-conscious websites implement the strictest standard (GDPR) globally, rather than tailoring consent mechanisms per jurisdiction.

Managing Your Cookie Privacy

Browser Settings: Configure your browser to block third-party cookies by default. Most modern browsers now do this.

Cookie Management Extensions: Tools like Cookie AutoDelete can automatically clear cookies when you close tabs, preventing persistent tracking.

Privacy-First Browsers: Brave blocks trackers and cookies by default. Firefox Enhanced Tracking Protection blocks known trackers.

Cookie Consent Choices: When presented with a cookie banner, don't just click "Accept All." Take 10 seconds to click "Manage Preferences" and disable advertising/tracking cookies.

ZeroLatch's Approach: ZeroLatch uses only essential cookies required for authentication and session management. No analytics trackers, no advertising cookies, no third-party tracking. Your security tool shouldn't be tracking you.