You may have heard the term "cookies" thrown around in discussions about online privacy and data collection. But what exactly are cookies and why do they matter for therapists working online? In this blog post, we'll explore the basics of cookies, including what they are, why companies use them, and what risks they may pose to your data.
What are cookies?
First and foremost, let's define what a cookie is. Simply put, a cookie is a small text file that a website stores on your computer or mobile device when you visit the site. These files contain information about your browsing activity, such as your login status, preferences, and recently viewed pages.
It is important to distinguish between the different types of cookies. There are first-party cookies and third-party cookies.
A first-party cookie is a cookie that is set by the website you're visiting. For example, if you visit the website of an online retailer, the website will store a cookie on your device to remember your preferences, such as your language and currency preference, so that you don't have to set it every time you visit the website. It’s very tough to find a website these days that doesn’t employ first-party cookies.
A third-party cookie, on the other hand, is set by a domain that is different from the website you're visiting. For example, when you visit a website that displays ads, the advertising company may set a cookie on your device to track your browsing activity and show you targeted advertisements based on your interests. These cookies can be used by multiple websites and can build a profile of your interests and behavior across places you visit online.
When you visit a website that uses third party cookies, you may see a notification banner at the top of the page asking you to accept or decline the use of cookies. This is because of recent laws passed in various countries that require website operators to obtain user consent for the use of cookies.
Why do companies use cookies?
So why do companies use cookies? There are a few reasons.
Cookies allow websites to remember your preferences and login status, making your browsing experience more convenient. They also help companies to understand how users interact with their website, which can inform website design and marketing decisions. For example, by analyzing first-party cookie data, companies can see which pages are frequently visited and prioritize and optimize these pages over others for a better user experience. Another example of how companies use first-party cookie data is to help them determine which products are more popular and which marketing campaigns drive the most traffic and sales, thus informing their marketing team of what is working and what's not.
Another reason why companies use cookies is that it allows them to track users' browsing activity across multiple websites, which can be used for targeted advertising. This is where the use of third-party cookie comes in. Remember, a third-party cookie is a cookie that is set by a domain other than the one you are visiting. This allows companies to collect data about your browsing activity across multiple sites and use it for targeted advertising. For example, if a user visits a website about camping equipment and then visits another website about outdoor gear, a third-party cookie can track this activity and provide advertisers with data on the user's interests. The advertiser can then target the user with ads for camping equipment or outdoor gear, based on their browsing history.
Risks to Data Privacy
While cookies can be useful for improving your online experience and helping companies understand their users, they do come with some risks to your data privacy. First-party cookies are generally considered to pose a lower risk to data privacy compared to third-party cookies. First-party cookies are set by the website you are visiting, which means that your data is kept within the domain you trust. On the other hand, third-party cookies are set by a domain that is different from the one you are visiting, and as a result, your data is shared with a third-party that you may not be familiar with or trust. This creates a higher risk of data privacy because third-party companies can use the information collected to track your browsing activity across multiple websites and potentially sell or share your data with other companies. For therapists handling patient information and operating around HIPAA compliance laws, picking who you share your data with can be very important.
Ambiki's Approach to Cookies
As a company, Ambiki has implemented a strict policy of utilizing only first-party cookies as a measure to safeguard user data privacy on our platform. While this may limit our ability to advertise to you as effectively or collect as much data, we believe that protecting our users' privacy is more important. In the words of Kevin, the Founder and President of Ambiki, "At Ambiki, we have made a conscious decision to not employ third-party cookies in order to safeguard the privacy of both our users, including therapists and practice owners, as well as their clients. Our platform includes a safe patient portal, and we strive to protect the confidentiality of patients visiting our site, and we do not want other third-party companies tracking their browsing activity and creating detailed profiles of their interests and behavior."
Conclusion
In conclusion, cookies play a crucial role in shaping the online experience for users. Whether it's remembering login details, preferences, or tracking browsing activity, these tiny text files can greatly impact the convenience and personalization of a website. Companies use cookies to remember your preferences and improve their websites, as well as to track users' browsing activity for targeted advertising. While cookies can be useful, they do come with some risks to your data privacy. At Ambiki, we prioritize our users' data privacy by using only first-party cookies and taking additional steps to protect your data.
