According to the entity that manages the domain from which cookies are sent and processes the obtained data, two types can be distinguished:

• First-party cookies: These are sent to the user’s terminal equipment from a computer or domain managed by the website editor, who provides the requested service to the user.
• Third-party cookies: These are sent to the user’s terminal equipment from a computer or domain that is not managed by the website editor but by another entity that processes the data obtained through cookies.

If cookies are installed from a computer or domain managed by the website editor, but the information collected through them is processed by a third party, they cannot be considered first-party cookies.

There is also a second classification based on the length of time cookies remain stored in the client’s browser, which can be:

• Session cookies: These are designed to collect and store data while the user accesses a website. They are typically used to store information that is only relevant for the provision of the requested service on a single occasion (e.g., a list of purchased products).
• Persistent cookies: The data remains stored on the user’s device and can be accessed and processed for a period defined by the cookie’s owner, which can range from a few minutes to several years.

Finally, there is another classification with five types of cookies based on the purpose for which the obtained data is processed:

• Technical cookies: These allow the user to navigate through a website, platform, or application and use the different options or services available, such as controlling traffic and data communication, identifying sessions, accessing restricted areas, remembering items in a shopping cart, completing the purchasing process, submitting registration or participation in an event, using security elements during browsing, storing content for video or audio streaming, or sharing content through social networks.
• Personalization cookies: These enable the user to access the service with predefined general characteristics based on criteria stored in the user’s terminal, such as language, type of browser used to access the service, regional settings from which the service is accessed, etc.
• Analytics cookies: These allow the party responsible for them to track and analyze the behavior of users on the associated websites. The information collected through this type of cookies is used to measure the activity of websites, applications, or platforms and to create navigation profiles of users for those sites, applications, and platforms. The data analysis helps in making improvements based on the usage patterns of the service’s users.
• Advertising cookies: These enable the effective management of advertising spaces.
• Behavioral advertising cookies: They store information about users’ browsing behavior obtained through continuous observation, allowing the creation of specific profiles to display ads based on those profiles.
• External social media cookies: These are used to allow visitors to interact with content from different social media platforms (such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.). These cookies are generated only for users of those social media platforms. The use of these cookies and the information collected is governed by the corresponding social media platform’s privacy policy.