How do you delete cookies?

“This website uses cookies. By continuing, you agree to this.” You see this sentence, or something like it, go by every day, because every time you visit a website, this message pops up (usually as a pop-up). But what exactly are these cookies, and how can you delete them?

What exactly are cookies?

Websites like to know what you do on their website. Some remember what you put in your shopping cart while shopping, while others show you relevant ads based on your search behavior. All of this is possible thanks to cookies. There are three different types of cookies, which we explain below:

1. Functional cookies

These cookies are necessary for a professional website, because they make sure the website works properly. They remember your passwords and preferences, such as the language you want to view the website in. They also remember which items you have put in your shopping cart and track how you navigate through the website.

With this information, the website owner can analyze, and where needed improve, how the site works. Your data may not be used to build a profile of a visitor’s internet use, for example.

2. Analytical cookies

These cookies measure website visits, which helps the owner improve the website. Think of the number of visitors or the most visited pages.

Most people use Google Analytics for this. When the data is anonymized, the owner is not required to show a cookie notice for these cookies. The use of analytical cookies must, however, be stated in the privacy policy.

3. Tracking cookies

Tracking cookies build a profile of website visitors by following their visits to the website. Based on this, the website can be optimized and show ads tailored to you. These cookies are not necessary for the website to function properly.

Dutch telecommunications law requires the owner of a website to ask permission before placing these so-called tracking cookies. This can be done, for example, through a pop-up that appears on your screen as soon as you visit the website. It then asks you to click to agree, or it states that you agree simply by using the website. In addition, the use of these cookies must also be stated in the privacy policy.

Giving or refusing consent

If you decide not to give consent, the website may not work exactly as it should. For example, you might not be able to share an article on social media. If you visit a government website, it is not allowed to deny you access just because you refuse cookies. All other websites are not required to do the same. That said, the ACM encourages websites to find a solution for people who refuse cookies, so they can still view the website normally.

If you do give consent, this is usually stored in a cookie. As long as that consent cookie stays on your computer, tablet or phone, the consent remains valid. You can also withdraw your consent by deleting the cookies. This does mean that, on your next visit to that website, you will have to give consent again before cookies are placed.

How do you delete cookies?

Deleting cookies works a little differently for each browser. It is not a difficult task though, and it is done quickly. It only takes a few minutes. Below we explain how to delete cookies in the four most used web browsers.

Deleting cookies in Google Chrome

Open Chrome and go to the menu. Click Settings there. Then click “Show advanced settings,” and after that “Content settings” under the Privacy heading. Find the Cookies section and click “All cookies and site data” at the bottom. If you want to delete all cookies, click the “clear all” button at the bottom. If you only want to delete certain cookies, look them up and remove them one by one.

Deleting cookies on Android

Since there are many different Android phones, it is hard to give a single explanation. Below is a video that explains how to delete cookies on Samsung, Huawei and most other Android phones.

Deleting cookies in Internet Explorer

Start Internet Explorer and go to Tools, then Internet Options. Click the General tab and, under “Browsing history,” choose Delete. Make sure the “Cookies” checkbox is ticked, then click Delete at the bottom to make the removal of the cookies permanent.

Deleting cookies in Firefox

Select the “Options” icon in the Firefox menu. Then click the Privacy tab and select the “remove individual cookies” link. You can then click “Clear all cookies” if you want to delete all cookies. If you want to delete individual cookies, select them and click Remove Cookie.

Deleting cookies in Safari

Open Safari and go to Preferences in the menu. Then click the “Privacy” tab and, in the “Cookies and other website data” section, click “Remove all website data.”

Doing this regularly helps keep you reasonably protected while you are online. It also keeps your browser running at speed, so you do not need to worry about a slow browser.