You need a cookie policy on your website if it uses cookies or similar technologies that involve the collection/storage of personal data of users based in regions where trackers like cookies are regulated. This is the case for the EU with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Whether you need a cookie policy on your website then depends on the jurisdictions where your users are based.

In general, most countries with data protection regulations require websites that collect personal data through cookies to inform users about these activities and obtain their consent. A cookie policy is essential for transparency, informing users about the types of cookies your website uses, their purposes, and how users can manage or refuse them.

The legality of not having a cookie policy depends on the legal jurisdiction under which your website operates or targets its users. Under the GDPR in the EU, for instance, it’s indeed illegal to use cookies that collect personal data without informing users through a cookie policy and obtaining their consent to do so.

Non-compliance can result in significant fines and penalties, as well as damage to your organization’s reputation. Therefore, if your website uses cookies and targets or is accessible by users in relevant jurisdictions, it’s crucial to have a comprehensive cookie policy in place to avoid legal repercussions.

To create a cookie policy, you need to identify all the cookies and tracking technologies your website uses. You should categorize them by purpose, e.g. essential, performance, analytics, and marketing. Your policy should clearly describe the purpose of each type of cookie, how and why they are used, and the data they collect. The language used must be straightforward, avoiding technical jargon to ensure it’s understandable by the general public.

Writing such a legal document is not easy, and we don’t recommend doing it yourself if you don’t have the skills needed. We strongly advise you to use a professional Cookie Policy Generator to make the process more reliable, quicker, and easier.

A Cookie Policy Generator lets you actively generate a customized Cookie Policy for websites or apps. It scans your website, identifies cookies and tracking technologies in use, and crafts a policy that you can customize with the proper clauses and then integrate into your site or app. This tool simplifies compliance with legislation such as GDPR, ePrivacy, CCPA and more, making it easy to comply with legal and cookie requirements.

Yes, you can write your own Cookie Policy. However, it requires a clear understanding of the cookies and tracking technologies used on your website, and your policy must comply with relevant privacy laws like GDPR, ePrivacy, and CCPA. It should accurately inform users about the types of cookies your site uses, what information they collect, and how that information is used. Although writing it yourself is an option, utilizing a Cookie Policy Generator can simplify this process, ensuring accuracy and compliance with legal requirements.

A Cookie Policy should include clear information on what cookies are, why and how your site uses them, the types of cookies utilized, what information they collect, how users can control or opt out of them, details on third-party cookies, any updates to the policy, and contact information for any inquiries or concerns. Remember, a Cookie Policy should be clear, concise, and specific to the cookies and tracking technologies used by your site or app, to ensure compliance with applicable privacy laws.

Your cookie policy should be displayed in your website’s footer, as it must be easily accessible and prominent to ensure users can find it quickly. The footer is common practice since that way the cookie policy is available from every page. Know it’s also common to have it go hand-in-hand with your privacy policy. Additionally, your cookie policy should be linked from your cookie banner.

A cookie policy and a cookie banner serve different but complementary roles in informing users about the use of cookies on a website:

• A cookie policy is a detailed document that explains the types of cookies your website uses, why, how, with whom, and how users can opt-out or manage their preferences;
• A cookie banner is a user interface element (like a pop-up) that appears on the website, typically when a user first visits, to inform them about the use of cookies and to ask for their consent. The banner should link to the cookie policy for users who want more detailed information.

While the banner serves as an immediate notification and consent method, the policy provides the detailed legal disclosure about cookie usage on your site.