Yahoo’s Use of Cookies and User Data: What You Should Know
Yahoo, a well-known member of the Yahoo brand family, has reiterated its commitment to transparent data usage on its websites and applications. In a recent communication, the company outlined how it employs cookies and user data to enhance the experience of its users.
What Are Cookies and How Does Yahoo Use Them?
Cookies are small text files that are stored on a user’s device when visiting a website or using an application. Yahoo utilizes cookies for several key purposes:
- Service Provision: Cookies help to ensure that Yahoo’s websites and apps are functioning properly for users.
- User Authentication and Security: The incorporation of cookies enables Yahoo to authenticate users and apply necessary security measures, thus preventing spam and abuse on its platforms.
- Usage Measurement: Cookies play a critical role in measuring how users interact with Yahoo’s websites and apps, providing insights that help improve services.
Managing Your Cookie Preferences
When visiting Yahoo’s platforms, users are presented with options regarding their data preferences. Clicking ‘Accept All’ allows Yahoo and its partners—238 of which are part of the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) Transparency & Consent Framework—to store and access information on the user’s device. This means that location data and other personal information, such as IP addresses and browsing history, may be utilized for purposes like personalized advertising, content measurement, audience research, and service development.
For those who do not wish to have their cookies and personal data used for these purposes, there is an option to click ‘Reject All’. Additionally, users can manage their preferences by selecting ‘Manage Privacy Settings’, allowing for a tailored browsing experience.
Adjusting Your Privacy Settings
Yahoo emphasizes that users have the ability to change their cookie and privacy preferences at any time. Users can easily modify their settings by navigating to the ‘Privacy and Cookie Settings’ or ‘Privacy Dashboard’ links available on Yahoo’s websites and apps.
For further details on Yahoo’s data practices, users are encouraged to refer to the company’s Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy, where comprehensive information regarding the handling of personal data can be found.
By clearly communicating its data usage practices, Yahoo aims to foster transparency and trust, ensuring that users have the necessary information to make informed decisions about their online privacy.
