Osnabrück in transition: A look at the great street from before to today

Osnabrück in transition: A look at the great street from before to today

On October 26, 2025, we will take a look at the exciting development of the online world, in the spirit of the curiosity that shapes our everyday digital life. At a time when data is the new currency of the Internet, cookies and web tracking in particular are becoming increasingly important. This is not only of interest to companies, but also affects every user of online services.

The small text files that are stored on our devices when we visit websites enable the online platforms to recognize us the next time we visit and, for example, to save our login data or the contents of the goods. But not all cookies are the same - some track our behavior across different websites. In practice, this means that we often cannot even perceive the advertising targets because our surfing behavior is analyzed over a longer period of time.

The different types of cookies

So what exactly are these cookies? According to the information from datenschutz.hessen.de there are different types. Technically necessary cookies are essential for basic functions of a website, such as session management, and do not even need to be approved in advance. In contrast, non-essential cookies, such as those used to analyze user behavior or create personalized advertising, must obtain explicit consent.

The topic of first-party and third-party cookies also brings with it an interesting distinction. The former are set by the website itself, while the latter come from third parties and thus enable comprehensive tracking of user behavior. This raises questions: How much control do we really have over our usage behavior?

Tracking and data protection

The world of tracking is also multifaceted. How e-recht24.de explains, it's not just cookies that influence our surfing experience, but also methods such as fingerprint tracking or log file analysis. Companies can collect valuable data about website visits, length of stay and even demographic characteristics of their users.

But concerns about data protection are not unfounded in this context. Users should be informed before tracking cookies are set. In addition, it should be a matter of course for companies to offer a transparent data protection declaration that provides information about what data is collected and what it is used for.

If users want to defend themselves against tracking, there are various options. In addition to rejecting cookie banners, you can also manage cookies or use private mode in your browser settings. Browser extensions that prevent web tracking are also a useful and cost-effective solution.

Dealing with cookies and tracking is therefore not only a technical issue, but also an important social issue that affects us all. Whether we're shopping, looking for information, or just surfing, a thorough understanding of the use of cookies and trackers can help us improve our online experiences and gain more control over our data. After all, knowledge is power – even on the Internet. For further insights you can take a look at os-rundschau.de throw.