Cookies
Cookies are small files that the owner of a website or an app places on the device of a visitor. For example, on your computer, laptop, smartphone or tablet.
On this page
Some cookies are necessary to make a website or an app work properly. Other cookies track your online behaviour. Thanks to cookies, businesses know a lot about you. For example, what your interests are, how healthy you are, and for which political party you vote.
You can find more information about cookies on the pages below. For example, about the different types of cookies and possible dangers to your privacy. And what you can do to protect your privacy when cookies are used.
For organisations
Do you, as an organisation, use cookies? Then you may process personal data. In that case, you will have to meet the requirements of the GDPR. You should therefore draw up a good cookie policy and ask your visitors in the correct manner for consent for placing cookies. See also the page Clear and misleading cookie banners.
Quick answers
When are organisations allowed to place tracking cookies on my computer?
An organisation is only allowed to place tracking cookies on your device (such as your computer, laptop, smartphone or tablet) if you have been informed about this. And you have given your consent for placing such cookies.
The organisation that wants to place tracking cookies must give advance information about:
- which cookies are used;
- which of your personal data are processed;
- what happens with these data;
- how long these cookies are retained or stay on your device.
The information about cookies must be displayed before you give or refuse consent for placing cookies. This may be done, for example, with an information bar and buttons (cookie banner) with which you can indicate whether you accept or refuse the tracking cookies.
It is not enough if the organisation merely refers to, for example, the general terms and conditions or a privacy statement.
No valid consent
There is no valid consent in the following examples:
- Websites that state that they assume your consent if you continue using the site (keep scrolling or swiping) after an information bar has been displayed. The information bar then says, for example: 'By continuing to use this website, you agree to the placing of tracking cookies' Or: 'We assume your consent when you click on an article from a newsletter'.
- Standard settings where all categories of cookies have already been checked.
- Websites that you can only visit if you consent to placing tracking cookies. According to the privacy law, a cookiewall is usually forbidden.
Is a website or an app allowed to refuse me access if I do not accept tracking cookies?
No. You must be able to use the website or the app normally, even if you do not give consent for placing (tracking) cookies.
A website is usually not allowed to use a cookiewall. If a cookie wall is used, you will be denied access to the website or app if you refuse the tracking cookies.
Where can I turn to if I have a question or complaint about cookies?
Do you have questions about cookies on a specific website or app? Contact the owner of the website or app first. Are the cookies placed by a third party? Then you can also contact this organisation. The owner of the website and the third party are obliged to give you information.
Do you have a complaint about cookies and how your personal data are processed? And does the website owner not respond? Or are you not satisfied with the response? Then you can submit a complaint to the Dutch DPA.
