PCs: What's the difference between Cookies and ‘Session Variables’
Tue, May 29 2012, 5:25PM
I just checked with my web host company about whether they used cookies, given the new privacy legislation. They said that they did not, they used ‘Session Variables’ instead. However, whilst I know that ‘Session Variables’ are deleted after a user leaves the website I see from a simple online search that ‘Session Variables’ are stored as a cookie during the time that they are valid. Should ‘Session Variables’ therefore be included within the definition of Cookie for privacy legislation purposes ?
It depends. There are (reasonably) clear definitions of types of cookie that are basically exempt from the legislation, and (generalising) a session cookie, which tends to be used to record things like whether you're logged in, would be one of those.
I quite like the BBC's approach to the legislation: tick here to accept or find another website...
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