Every time you visit a website, it probably asks you to accept cookies. Most people click « accept all » without thinking twice. But what are you actually agreeing to?
Cookies are small files that store bits of information about you. Some are harmless—they remember your login or keep items in your shopping cart. But others track your behavior, build a profile, and follow you from site to site.
Trackers go beyond cookies. They collect data on what you click, how long you stay, and what you search. This information is sold or used to target you with ads. Most people don’t realize how much is being collected in the background.
GDPR, the data privacy law in the EU, was designed to give you more control. It requires websites to ask for your consent before using cookies or trackers. But many banners are confusing or push you toward accepting everything.
Here’s what you can do:
-
Choose “Manage preferences” when possible
-
Reject all non-essential cookies
-
Use a privacy-focused browser or extensions that block trackers
-
Clear cookies regularly in your browser settings
-
Avoid sites that won’t let you proceed without full consent
Understanding what cookies and trackers do is the first step. You don’t have to cut off the internet—just be more selective.
Worried about social media collecting even more? Check if your accounts are leaving you exposed.
