Understanding Yahoo’s Use of Cookies and Personal Data

Yahoo, a prominent name in the digital landscape, is committed to ensuring users are informed about the use of cookies and personal data across its family of brands. This article provides an overview of how Yahoo employs cookies on its sites and applications, offering insights into user authentication, security measures, and personalized advertising.

The Role of Cookies

When users engage with Yahoo’s platforms, cookies play a significant role. Cookies are small pieces of data that websites store on a user’s device. Yahoo utilizes cookies to:

Facilitate Site Access: Cookies help in providing seamless access to Yahoo’s various sites and applications.
User Authentication: They are essential for authenticating users and ensuring secure access to accounts, thereby protecting personal information against unauthorized access.
Security Measures: Cookies aid in applying necessary security features to prevent spam and abuse of the platforms.
Usage Measurement: Yahoo uses cookies to measure how users interact with its sites and applications, which helps in enhancing overall user experience.

Consent Options for Users

Yahoo offers users straightforward options regarding cookie usage. Upon visiting their sites, users will encounter a prompt to either accept or decline the use of cookies.

By clicking ‘Accept all’, users not only allow Yahoo to utilize cookies for basic functions but also consent for Yahoo and its partners— a network of 239 companies under the IAB Transparency & Consent Framework—to store and/or access information on devices. This may include the use of precise geolocation data and other personal information, such as IP addresses, browsing, and search histories. This data collection aims to facilitate personalized advertising, content measurement, and audience research.
Conversely, users who prefer not to share their data for these additional purposes can click ‘Reject all’. This option grants users more privacy by declining the broader use of personal information.

For those who wish to customize their preferences further, Yahoo provides a ‘Manage privacy settings’ option.

Managing Privacy Settings

Yahoo understands that privacy preferences may change over time. Therefore, users can withdraw their consent or modify their cookie management choices at any point. This can be done through links like ‘Privacy & cookie settings’ or ‘Privacy dashboard’, which are accessible on Yahoo’s sites and applications.

To help users better understand how their information is handled, Yahoo encourages users to review its privacy policy and cookie policy. These documents outline the specifics of data collection, usage, and rights, ensuring transparency and user empowerment throughout the process.

As part of its mission to provide a trustworthy online experience, Yahoo remains committed to protecting user privacy while delivering personalized content and services. For more detailed information about cookie management and user data handling, visit Yahoo’s privacy resources online.