Most online platforms use cookies. Cookies are text files containing data such as username and password, created by a website that is stored in your device when you use a web browser. They can be stored either temporarily for that session only, if deleted by the user, or permanently in storage (persistent cookies).
Cookies do serve a number of important functions, including to remember a user and their previous interactions with a website, and to keep track of their preferences. They can be used, for example, to keep track of items in an online shopping cart or to keep track of information when you input details into an online application form. Authentication cookies are also important to identify users when they log in to banking services and other online services.
The cookies most internet users are aware of are typically browser, or HTTP cookies, although cookies also exist within apps when a browser is needed to view certain content or display an ad within an app. However, the cookies from one app cannot be shared with another app, they remain private to each app.
As a necessary part of web browsing, HTTP cookies help web developers give you more personal, convenient website visits, but they can also used to monitor or track your movements on the internet and remember certain information about you.
The information stored in cookies can include personal data, such as an IP address, a username, a unique identifier, or an email address. Advertising IDs, user IDs and other tracking IDs may also be contained in cookies.
Cookies are used either by the websites that collect it (first party cookies) or third parties (third party cookies) that use this data. Third party cookies are hosted on a website, which belong to other websites. Such third-party cookies occur where you visit a site, but do not only get a cookie from just the server for that site, but also a tracking cookie from the advertisers on that site. Those can be used to look at where you're going whenever you visit a new website, thereby tracking your activity.
Most people are aware of cookies, especially HTTP cookies, and some may choose to ‘accept all’ when visiting a website. However, how aware are we of what cookies are used for? In the 2021 ICT household survey, respondents were asked if they were aware that cookies can be used to trace users’ movements online (including to make a profile of each user and service them tailored ads).
At an overall level, nearly three quarters (74%) of internet users knew that cookies could be used to trace their movements online. Of male internet users, 77% were aware that cookies can track your activity online, compared with 71% of females. See Table 3.1.
Over four in five (82%) of internet users aged 30 to 44 years were aware that cookies can trace your movements or activity online, compared with 62% of persons in the 60 to 74 years age group. See Table 3.1 and Figure 3.1.
Employed persons were more likely to be aware than retired persons that cookies can be used to track one’s movements online – 82% of persons At work compared to 37% of Retired persons. See Table 3.1.
| Age group | 16-29 | 30-44 | 45-59 | 60-74 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age group | 76 | 82 | 75 | 62 |
Users can use the built-in controls in their web browser to limit the cookies you receive, for example to block the third-party/advertiser cookies.
Almost all the main web browsers feature privacy settings that allow you to restrict or block cookies from being stored on your device. They usually offer cookie filtering options on what cookies you want to block.
The results of the 2021 ICT survey show that four in 10 (40%) internet users changed the settings in their internet browser to prevent or limit cookies, on any of their devices. Males were more likely than females to take this precautionary action – 45% of males compared with 36% of females. See Table 3.2.
Further analysis by age group shows that almost half (49%) of persons aged 30 to 44 years took this precautionary measure, compared with just 30% of persons aged between 60 and 74 years. Similarly, only one third (33%) of younger persons aged 16 to 29 years changed their browser settings to prevent or limit cookies. See Table 3.2 and Figure 3.2.
This precautionary measure was also taken by 47% of persons whose principal economic status was At work, compared with just 28% of Unemployed persons. Similarly, just 30% of Students and Retired persons took this course of action. See Table 3.2.
| Security related incident | 16-29 | 30-44 | 45-59 | 60-74 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Changed settings in their internet browser to prevent or limit cookies | 33 | 49 | 41 | 30 |
| Uses software that limits the ability to track their activities online | 36 | 29 | 30 | 21 |
Another measure that internet users can take to limit the invasive tracking of their movements online and protect their digital footprint is to use anti-tracking software that limits the ability of cookies to track their activities online and help control cookies.
Internet users can, for example, use web browser add-ons/extensions and tools, which can be added to your browser, to limit tracking of your activity online.
The 2021 data shows that, at an overall level, 28% of internet users used software to limit the tracking of their movements online. Males were more likely than females to use such anti-tracking software – 32% of males compared with 23% of females. See Table 3.2.
Analysis by age group shows that younger persons were more inclined to use such software to limit the tracking of their online activity, with 36% of persons aged 16 to 29 years stating that they used anti-tracking software, compared with just 21% of persons in the 60 to 74 years age group. See Table 3.2 and Figure 3.2.
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