What actually happens
The joke is short. The answer deserves context.
Browser cookies are small pieces of stored data that help sites remember sessions, settings, and tracking identifiers. They can be used for privacy-invasive tracking, but they are not executable mini-apps crawling around your computer.
How the myth got legs
Every sticky belief has an origin story.
The name cookie made the whole thing sound harmless, then tracking ads made it sound sinister. The truth is less cartoonish and more annoying.
Research directions
Where the evidence trail begins.
These labels describe the editorial research lanes behind this draft. They are not substitutes for linked primary citations or professional advice.
- 01Web platform documentationEditorial source category
- 02Browser privacy guidanceEditorial source category
See something off? Send a correction. Truth products should make being corrected easy.
