Understanding Yahoo’s Family of Brands and Their Use of Cookies
Yahoo is a prominent part of the Yahoo family of brands, which includes a range of well-known websites and applications. This family of brands encompasses platforms such as Yahoo itself, AOL, Engadget, Rivals, In The Know, and Makers, all of which are owned and operated by the same entity. Together, these sites and apps offer diverse content and services to millions of users worldwide.
How Yahoo Uses Cookies
When you visit Yahoo and its affiliated sites or use their apps, the company utilizes cookies, along with related technologies like web storage, to store and access information on your device. Cookies are small data files that enable website operators to recognize users’ devices, enhance user experience, and provide personalized services.
Yahoo uses cookies for several key purposes:
- Site and App Functionality: Cookies help deliver Yahoo’s sites and apps efficiently and make them operational for users.
- Security and Authentication: They assist in authenticating users to ensure security, prevent spam, and reduce abusive activities.
- Measurement and Analytics: Yahoo collects aggregated data on visitor numbers, types of devices (e.g., iOS or Android), browsers used, and the duration of visits. This data helps Yahoo understand overall user engagement without linking to specific individuals.
Consent and User Control
Yahoo emphasizes transparency and user choice regarding data usage. By clicking ‘Accept all,’ users consent to Yahoo and its partners—including 235 companies aligned with the IAB Transparency & Consent Framework—to store and access cookies on devices. Under this option, precise geolocation data, IP addresses, browsing, and search data may be used for analytics, personalized advertising, content measurement, audience research, and service development.
For those who prefer to limit their data sharing, Yahoo offers options to ‘Reject all’ cookie use for these purposes or to customize preferences via ‘Manage privacy settings.’ Users retain the ability to withdraw consent or modify privacy choices anytime through links labeled ‘Privacy & cookie settings’ or ‘Privacy dashboard’ available across Yahoo’s platforms.
Privacy Commitment
To help users better understand how their data is handled, Yahoo provides detailed explanations in its privacy policy and cookie policy. These resources offer insights into the types of personal data collected, how it’s used, and users’ rights to manage their information.
In summary, Yahoo and its family of brands utilize cookies and similar technologies to enhance user experience, maintain security, and measure engagement. At the same time, they prioritize user consent and transparency in managing personal data across their extensive network of sites and apps.