Persistent Cookies
Cookies that remain stored on a user’s device after the browser is closed, with a defined expiration date.
Persistent cookies are stored on the user’s hard drive and remain there until they reach their expiration date or the user manually deletes them. Unlike session cookies, persistent cookies survive browser restarts and can last from hours to years. They are used for functions like remembering login credentials, storing user preferences, and tracking repeat visitors for analytics or advertising purposes.
Privacy regulations pay close attention to persistent cookies because of their extended data retention. Under the GDPR and ePrivacy Directive, the storage duration of each cookie must be disclosed to users, and it should be proportionate to its purpose — a preference cookie lasting five years may be considered excessive. Regulators have specifically flagged cookies with unreasonably long lifespans in enforcement actions. Best practice is to set the shortest practical expiration period and clearly communicate the duration in your cookie notice.