Cookies

Cookies are small parcels of text-based data initiated by the web server and exchanged with the user's browser each time they access the website. They enable the website to recognise an interactive instance with the user's computer to restore preferences of returning users, provide access to specific resources, track online purchases, provide customised web pages or work interactively.

Tell Me About?

Agencies may choose to use cookies to enhance their online services.

Properly used, cookies can greatly enhance the user's experiences of web resources and increase convenience. Cookies can be used to track the activities of users over time and across different websites. Where cookies are linked with personal identification information, they can be used to track the browsing habits of individuals. Stolen cookies can also be used to gain access to resources. Misuse of cookies has obvious privacy and security issues.

Third-Party Use of Cookies

Agencies considering the use of third-party services on their websites must determine whether or not these services also use cookies. Third parties' use of information stored in cookies associated with their services must not conflict with relevant privacy requirements.

Why Must I?

There are no mandatory Australian Government requirements relating specifically to cookies. However, privacy requirements will be relevant.

Commonwealth Government agencies must comply with the Information Privacy Principles under the Privacy Act 1988. The Information Privacy Principles deal with all stages of the processing of personal information - setting out standards for the collection, use, disclosure, quality and security of personal information. The Information Privacy Principles are set out in section 14 of the Privacy Act 1988.