The Dark Side of Personalisation: How Cookies Are Invading Your Privacy

As I sat at my desk, sipping my morning coffee, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease. I had just clicked ‘Accept all’ on a website, and suddenly I was bombarded with targeted ads. It was as if the website knew me, knew my interests, and knew exactly how to get under my skin.

But how did it know? The answer lies in cookies, those small text files that websites use to track our every move. And it’s not just websites - it’s also their partners, who use this data to create personalised advertising and content.

The use of cookies and personal data is a growing concern for many of us.

I started to think about all the times I had clicked ‘Accept all’ without really thinking about it. How many websites had I given permission to track me? And what were they doing with that data?

According to Yahoo’s own policy, when you use their sites and apps, they use cookies to provide their services, authenticate users, apply security measures, and prevent spam and abuse. But that’s not all - they also use cookies to measure your use of their sites and apps, and to store and/or access information on your device.

Websites can track your device and use that information to create targeted ads.

And it’s not just Yahoo. Many websites use cookies to track their users, and it’s often difficult to know exactly what they’re doing with that data. That’s why it’s so important to be mindful of the cookies you accept, and to take control of your own data.

So what can you do? First, take a closer look at the cookies you’re accepting. Read the fine print, and make sure you understand what you’re getting yourself into. If you don’t want to accept cookies, click ‘Reject all’ - it’s that simple.

It’s easy to reject cookies, but it’s not always easy to know what you’re rejecting.

You can also customise your choices by clicking ‘Manage privacy settings’. This will give you more control over what data you share, and with whom.

Customising your privacy settings can help you take control of your data.

Finally, remember that you have the power to change your choices at any time. If you’re not happy with the way a website is using your data, you can always go back and change your settings.

You have the power to change your settings and take control of your data.

In conclusion, cookies may seem like a harmless way to personalise your online experience, but they can also be a threat to your privacy. By being mindful of the cookies you accept, and taking control of your own data, you can protect yourself from the dark side of personalisation.

Take control of your data and protect yourself from the dark side of personalisation.