Guidelines for Cookies on Government of Canada Web Sites 

What are Cookies?

A cookie is a small text file placed on a visitor's computer by a Web site in order to remember certain pieces of information. 

What are the Cookie Guidelines? 

The Guidelines explain cookies and provide a series of steps on how to effectively manage them on Government of Canada Web sites.

Why are the Guidelines needed?

•	Cookie technology is not well understood and this has resulted in widespread confusion about why and how they are used. The Guidelines clarify this technology for Government of Canada program and web practitioners. 

•	Since cookies have the ability to store or index personal information, they have the potential to pose privacy and security risks. The Guidelines outline how to avoid those risks. 

•	Common Look and Feel for the Internet Standard 5.3 requires that all Government of Canada Web sites have a Privacy Notice that must refer to cookies, if they are used. The Guidelines provide advice on how best to comply with this Standard.

•	The Guidelines also outline best practices which, if implemented, will help instill public confidence in Government of Canada Web sites. 

How do the Guidelines help?

•	These Guidelines provide direction on the use of cookies and other similar technologies and are designed to complement the existing legislative and policy framework. 

•	A detailed question and answer sheet that Government of Canada webmasters can post on their sites is included.