The world of cookies is changing. By the end of this year, Google aims to have phased out 3rd party cookies entirely for Chrome, which has big implications for website owners.

Although most people know a little bit about cookies, few really understand what they are, why there is a move to replace them and what it all means for website users and editors.

This session is for everyone who wishes they knew more about cookies but are too embarrassed to ask!

Prerequisite
No technical knowledge required.

Outline
Website cookies play a crucial role in enhancing user experience, remembering site preferences, tracking user behavior for analytics and enabling targeted advertising. However, the management and regulation of cookies is constantly evolving, especially in the context of privacy and data protection. This session is a crash course in cookies, past, present and future, covering:

The emergence of privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA.

Public perception about privacy and how personal data is collected and used online - and how web browsers like Safari and Firefox have responded with more active tracking prevention measures by default.

Technical developments like Googles 'Privacy Sandbox', which includes the Federated Learning of Cohorts (FLoC) as a solution for interest-based advertising without individual tracking.

Impact on web owners and the need to adapt digital experience and marketing strategies to be compliant with regulations and less reliant on third-party cookies by finding new ways to personalise user experiences without compromising privacy.

Learning Objectives
Attendees of this session will gain an understanding of:
1. what cookies are and what they do
2. what is replacing cookies and what it means for you
3. how to optimise user experience, insight and marketing whilst still respecting and protecting privacy

Experience level
Beginner