Let’s unpack some of the privacy jargon.
APIs – Application Programming Interface
A communication protocol that allows software components to communicate with each other.
Cookies
A data file transferred onto your computer, mobile phone, or any other device that you use to access a website. They are used for authentication and tracking and expire after a certain period of time.
A session cookie expires when you close your web browser or mobile application whereas a persistent cookie is one that remains in your device, even after you close your browser or mobile application. A persistent cookie expires according to the duration set by the website or when you delete it manually.
You may remove or disable cookies through your browser settings.
DNT – Do Not Track
Your browser can signal to the website you are visiting that you do not want to be tracked by third parties e.g, analytics services, advertising networks, and social platforms. It is up to the website’s owners to decide whether to respect your DNT request.
E2EE – End-to-End Encryption
End-to-end encryption is a system of communication where only the communicating users can read the messages. See our E2EE explainer for an in-depth explanation.
HIPAA – Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) compliance refers to a series of regulatory standards set by the US government, by the Department of Health and Human Services. See our HIPAA Compliance and Proprietary Platforms explainer for an in-depth explanation.
IP Address
Internet Protocol Address is a unique number assigned to your device when you connect to the internet. Numbers are generally assigned according to the geographical location of your device and your internet service provider and might be usable to approximate your real-life location.
Local Storage
When websites collect information from you and stores it in a location on your device where they can retrieve it later. For example, a website can count how many times you visit their website.
Meta Data
“Metadata” is additional information about a particular file (such as a photo or video) including for example, the manufacturer and model of the device that took a photo, date and time the photo was taken.
Multi-Party / Multi-Peer Communication
Communicating simultaneously with more than two users. See our Multi-Party Calls explainer for an in-depth explanation.
Proxy Server
A server that acts as an intermediary between your device and the server your device is requesting information.
Tracking Pixel
A tiny, invisible image that allows activity tracking on websites or emails. Commonly associated with advertising, the information collected can be sold or rented out.
