Cookies used

By default, only functional or necessary cookies are set when using etracker analytics (including session and local storage). Optionally, cookies for analytical purposes can be activated with consent.

Strictly necessary or essential cookies

Name	Purpose	Storage duration	Kind	Example content
et_allow_cookies	When using data-block-cookies, this cookie is set to "1" by the API call _etracker.enableCookies() to indicate that etracker is allowed to set cookies. When using the etracker Consent Manager, this cookie is set to "0" if etracker cookies are rejected to indicate that etracker is not allowed to set cookies. The cookie is deleted when _etracker.disableCookies() is called.	"1" - 480 days	First-party, local storage	1, 1|1612600938445
et_oi_v2	Required for the objection function (opt-out). Is also used for a possible opt-in if data processing is only to take place after consent has been given.	"no" - 50 years "yes" - 480 days	First-party, local storage	yes, no|3138274773810
et_scroll_depth	Cache for scroll depth measurement (can also be linked to consent in the account settings).	Browser session	Session Storage	{"foo":{"buckets":{"0":{"stayTime":954594,"to":9,"from":0},"10":{"stayTime":954594,"from":10,"to":24},"25":{"stayTime":0,"from":25,"to":49},"50":{"stayTime":0,"from":50,"to":74},"75":{"stayTime":0,"from":75,"to":100},"101":{"stayTime":0,"from":101,"to":1000000}},"tm":1561467961409,"lastBuckets":["0","10"]}}
isSdEnabled	Detection of whether the visitor's scroll depth is measured (can also be linked to consent in the account settings).	24 hours	First-Party	true or false
et_cssSelectors	Cache for the configured CSS selector events.	Browser session	Session Storage	[ { "id": 3, "url": "*", "cssSelector": "#js-fixed-button > a > button", "category": "cssSelector", "object": "nextTEST", "action": "click", "type": "cssSelectorId:3", "eventType": "EVENT_TYPE_CLICK", "isOnsiteCampaign": false, "onsiteCmp": "", "onsiteMed": "", "segmentSource": "", "segmentValue": "" } ]
et_tagManagerEntries	Cache for the configured Tag Manager entries.	Browser session	Session Storage	[ { "id":1, "title": "Pageview trigger always", "content":"", "target": "head", "trigger_id": "1", "category": "no_consent", "is_draft":false, "template": "customEvent" } ]
et_tagManagerVars	Cache for the configured Tag Manager variables.	Browser session	Session Storage	{ "1": { "type": "query", "selector": "idcat", "selType": "", "attr": "" }, "Idcat GET Variable": { "type": "query", "selector": "idcat", "selType": "", "attr": "" } }
et_oi_services	Used to store the categories and providers selected by the user when cookies or tracking are activated with the user's consent.	720 days	First-party, local storage	{"performance:youtube":true,"marketing:meta":true,"statistics:etracker":true}

Analytical or functional cookies (blocked by default)

Name	Purpose	Storage duration	Kind	Example content
cookiesAvailable	Is set once, tried to be read and deleted again immediately afterwards to determine whether cookies are generally supported.	Browser session	First-Party
_et_coid	User recognition	720 days or configurable	First-party, local storage	108bf9a85547edb1108bf9a85547edb1

*By means of a virtual expiration date (timestamp), no more data is read out after this time has been exceeded and the corresponding entry is removed.

Explanation of cookie and consent freedom

Classification of “cookie freedom” (TDDDG conformity)

The term “cookie-less” or “cookie-free” is to be understood in the regulatory sense of § 25 TDDDG (formerly TTDSG). etracker analytics is designed in the standard configuration in such a way that no cookies requiring consent are set or information is read out on the end device that requires the explicit consent of the user.

Evaluation of technical storage processes in session storage

The use of specific keys in session storage is used exclusively for technical optimization and to ensure website functionality.

• Caching & Performance (et_cssSelectors, et_tagManagerEntries, et_tagManagerVars): These keys serve as a cache for configured triggers. They enable the asynchronous loading of scripts to prevent the website from “freezing” in the event of delayed server responses.
• Scroll depth measurement (et_scroll_depth): This key is used to temporarily buffer measurement data for the ScrollMap report. By bundling this data in the session storage, the number of tracking requests is significantly reduced, which minimizes the server load and saves loading time. The data is collected randomly and without personal reference.
• Legal assessment: As these keys do not contain any identifiers, do not enable user tracking and are automatically deleted when the browser tab is closed, they are to be classified as technically necessary in accordance with Section 25 (2) No. 2 TDDDG. They serve the uninterrupted availability and performance of the site expected by the user.

The consent cookie (et-oi-services)

The cookie et-oi-services is used to manage user decisions.

• Purpose: To record the choice made by the user (consent or refusal).
• Legal necessity: This cookie is absolutely necessary for the provision of the service expressly requested by the user (maintaining their privacy settings). Not using this cookie would lead to a repeated, incorrect request for consent, which would be contrary to the user’s interest in trouble-free use and could potentially be regarded as inadmissible “nudging”.

Tag management as a “neutral vessel”

Supervisory authorities regard tag management systems (TMS) as a functionally neutral infrastructure.

• The etracker Tag Manager itself does not set any identifying cookies.
• The mandatory system-side link to the Consent Manager ensures that third-party scripts (e.g. marketing tools) are technically only played out once the corresponding consent has been given. This automated control ensures a continuous compliance chain.

Review by ePrivacy GmbH

Legal compliance was certified as part of an audit by the independent testing body ePrivacy GmbH. The final verdict confirms this:

“In cookie-less mode (standard mode), the use of etracker Analytics is lawful without any consent requirement.”

Conclusion

The implementation of etracker analytics and the associated tag management fully complies with the requirements of the GDPR and the TDDDG. The session storage elements used and the consent cookie are used exclusively for technical operational security, performance optimization and the implementation of user preferences. Since no identification or persistence of user profiles takes place without consent, the use in standard mode is permitted without consent.