Artificial Intelligence and cookies

Currently, most search engines, recommendations, and online advertisements use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to “predict” what users are looking for or need. For this purpose, these mechanisms collect various users’ data when browsing the Internet and using mobile applications. Sometimes, these recommendations, made with algorithms, can even be useful and satisfy us. But remember, everything has a price! In this case, it’s your personal data.

So that the collection of personal information is not invasive and “doesn’t cross the line”, be aware of the permissions and cookies you accept on websites and applications. Be careful!

Cookies are small text files saved on your device with information to improve your browsing experience. Among the many functions they perform, cookies keep you logged into websites that require signing in, that way you don’t have to enter your login details every time you access them. Another function is data collection for Artificial Intelligence systems. The idea is precisely to identify behavior patterns and make personalized advertising or shopping recommendations for each user.

So, before accepting all cookies, see what they will be used for and limit those that were not useful to you. You can also configure certain items in your browsers, such as deleting cookies when closing the browser and restricting third-party cookies, used for advertising-related content.

If you’re using someone else’s equipment or an unknown network, browsing anonymously or privately is a good option, because this prevents your data from being collected easily. The same concern applies when installing an application on your cell phone. Be careful when accepting permissions! See if they’re necessary for the app to perform its functions, read the privacy policy, and check what and how your personal data will be handled. If you don’t agree and the app does not work without these permissions, look for an alternative one.

https://cartilha.cert.br/privacidade/ (portuguese only)

https://cartilha.cert.br/fasciculos/#celulares-e-tablets (portuguese only)

Accessibility
In the first scene, a man and a woman surf the Internet, the man searches for beer and the woman for wine, the phrase “How do websites personalize recommendations?” appears, and both continue browsing.
A robot appears between them and browsing data, represented by binary numbers, enters through the robot. The robot’s eyes blink while processing the information. The phrase changes to Artificial Intelligence uses your data. Both access the same shopping website, the robot’s face shows the image of a light bulb, meaning that it had an idea. Among the items suggested for the man is a beer, and for the woman there is a bottle of wine. Both look surprised.

In the second scene, a pensive man appears; above him, the phrase “Pay attention to cookie settings.” Next to him, the image of a tablet opening and showing a website with several cookies appear, this time in the shape of actual cookies. The phrase “In the browser” appears, and below the phrase, a screen opens: the man looks at the browser’s privacy settings. Among the options, “Block third-party cookies for anonymous browsing” is checked. The man looks at the settings; the phrase changes to “And on websites, if need be.” A screen showing a shopping website appears, and the bottom of the page contains a message about how the site manages cookies. A smaller screen about managing cookies appears and, among the options, the words “Functionality” and “Safety” are selected. The man clicks on “Confirm,” selecting only essential cookies.