Cookies as a way of collecting data on websites and user unconsciousness

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5433/1981-8920.2023v28n4p289

Keywords:

Data collection, Cookies, Privacy, Personal data protection

Abstract

Objective: The opacity in data collection on websites can affect the privacy of users, as companies often collect data without clearly informing what information is being collected, how it will be used and with whom it will be shared. This can lead to excessive data collection, which can be used for unauthorized purposes. In this scenario, this article aims to identify the possible cookies collected by the websites, in order to demonstrate the opacity present in the collection of this data, mainly in relation to the number and diversity of cookies, including the third parties involved in this process.
Method: The methodology consists of a descriptive research with a qualitative and quantitative approach. Bibliographical research was used as methods in order to explain the technical aspects of data collection by cookies; collection of data on websites, to demonstrate the possible cookies collected by websites during interaction with the user. For the identification of cookies, the Cookiebot Consent Management Platform was used as a technological resource. Result: A total of 776 cookies were identified on the analyzed websites, with the marketing category cookies and persistent cookies being the most representative, in addition to 208 third-party companies present in these cookies.
Conclusions: A variety of cookies were observed that are used by websites for data collection, this amount of cookies can reveal a lot of information about user activities and, consequently, threaten the privacy of individuals referenced in this data, without them being aware of the data collect.

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Author Biographies

Daiane Marcela Piccolo, Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp)

PhD in Information Science from the Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Professor at the Faculdade de Tecnologia de Presidente Prudente (FATEC) and the Escola Tecnica Amim Jundi (ETEC), Osvaldo Cruz, Brasil.

Elaine Parra Affonso, Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp)

PhD in Information Science from Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Professor at the Faculdade de Tecnologia de Presidente Prudente (FATEC), Presidente Prudente, Brasil.

Ricardo César Gonçalves Sant'Ana, Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp)

PhD in Information Science from the Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Professor at the Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Marília, Brasil.

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Published

2024-09-28

How to Cite

Piccolo, D. M., Affonso, E. P., & Sant’Ana, R. C. G. (2024). Cookies as a way of collecting data on websites and user unconsciousness . Informação & Informação, 28(4), 289–317. https://doi.org/10.5433/1981-8920.2023v28n4p289