Author: Sevgi Ünsal Özden
In today's world, there is no doubt that data has become one of the most valuable assets and resources for some companies. The ability to collect, store, process, and analyze data on a large scale has dramatically changed the balance of the business world, and has critical implications for the global economy-- especially for competition between companies.
Although there are many data collection methods, internet cookies are one of the more remarkable methods of obtaining data. Basically, cookies aim to make users' internet experience easier. When the purposes and benefits are considered, cookies can be deemed as useful, practical, and essential for both web servers/websites and users. However, even though cookies do not have the characteristics of personal data by nature, the data obtained as a result of their usage could be specified as personal data. Given the rise of data-driven companies, the volume of data obtained and the personal nature of that data, the usage of cookies raises serious concerns regarding data security and privacy. Recently, data protection authorities from all over the world, including from Turkey, have been determining the rules and principles regarding the usage of internet cookies, making regulations, publishing guidelines, and even imposing penalties against some companies.
In this Newsletter, internet cookies, their usage and purposes, the practices of data protection and legislative authorities, and the current developments in this area will be examined briefly.
