Internet users must expressly consent to tracking

Anyone who visits a website today is immediately recorded using various methods. For example, surfing behavior is recorded using so-called tracking cookies. Users are primarily spied on using this method by third-party providers, who can use these cookies to track surfing behavior unnoticed across several websites.

This means that a profile can already be created for this user. If the user is also on a page where they have to log in with their name, they can even be clearly identified and tracked over a longer period of time and across all the devices they use. Facebook, for example, systematically spies on its users for advertising purposes.

In most cases, data is not stored and analyzed by the website provider. Nevertheless, the website provider must comply with certain data protection regulations. For example, visitors to a website must be informed about the collection of personal data, the purpose of the processing and the data analysis. If personal data is collected, the operator must obtain the user's consent. At the same time, they must offer users a way to take action against tracking.

There is also a right to information and correction under the Data Protection Act. This means that a website operator who collects data must grant the data subjects access to the data and correct or delete it if necessary.

However, it is easier for internet users if they take precautions. For example, it is advisable to block the storage of third-party cookies and to delete the stored cookies and browser history after each session. Many browsers now also have a so-called do-not-track function. However, the internet user cannot directly see whether the other party is complying with this, even if they were legally obliged to do so. (SDA)

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