Provision record
Cloudflare · Cloudflare Privacy Policy · View original document ↗

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Medium severity High confidence Explicit document language Common · 289 of 352 platforms
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Document Record

What it is

Cloudflare uses cookies and similar tracking tools on its own websites, including for advertising purposes, and works with third parties who may track your activity across other websites.

This analysis describes what Cloudflare's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology

ConductAtlas Analysis

Why it matters (compliance & governance perspective)

Third-party advertising and cross-site tracking technologies extend Cloudflare's data collection beyond its own services into your broader browsing behavior, which is a category of processing that carries heightened consent requirements in the EU and opt-out rights in California.

Clause Stability Stable

0
Changes
4
Months Monitored
May 7, 2026
First Seen
May 22, 2026
Last Seen
This clause type exists across 5149 other provisions on other platforms.

Change history

modified Jul 1, 2026

Added explicit examples of tracking technologies (web beacons, pixels), categorized cookies by necessity, and added disclosure of third-party partner cookie usage.

View full change record →

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Cookies and third-party trackers used by Cloudflare may follow your activity across multiple websites, not just Cloudflare's own pages, and this data may be used to serve you targeted advertising.

What you can do

⚠️ These actions may provide transparency or partial mitigation but may not fully address the underlying issue. Effectiveness varies by jurisdiction and individual circumstances.
  • Opt Out of Arbitration
    To opt out of sale or sharing of personal information (including advertising cookies), submit a request via Cloudflare's privacy portal. EU users can adjust cookie preferences using the consent tool on Cloudflare's website.

How other platforms handle this

Tinder Medium

If you choose to reveal any personal information about yourself to other users, you do so at your own risk. We strongly encourage you to use caution in disclosing any personal information online.

Skillshare Medium

When you are asked to provide information, you may decline to do so; but if you choose not to provide information that is necessary to provide some of our Services, you may not be able to use those Services.

Square Medium

to object to profiling activities based on our own legitimate interests

See all platforms with this clause type →
▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
Cloudflare uses cookies and other similar tracking technologies (such as web beacons and pixels) to gather information when you interact with our Services. Some cookies are essential to make our Services work properly. Others help us improve your experience, understand how our Services are used, or provide you with relevant advertising and marketing. We may also work with third-party partners and providers who use cookies and similar technologies to collect information about your online activities across third-party websites or online services.

Excerpt from Cloudflare's Privacy Policy

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (regulatory & governance intelligence)

REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: Cookie and tracking technology use engages the EU ePrivacy Directive (often called the Cookie Law), GDPR consent requirements for non-essential cookies, and CCPA and CPRA opt-out rights for sale or sharing of personal …

Insight

Unlock the full institutional analysis

Enforcement risk, jurisdiction flags, contract triggers, and due diligence action items.

Applicable agencies

  • Federal Trade Commission (ftc)
    Oversees unfair or deceptive business practices and can investigate companies that mislead consumers about data collection, sharing, or use.
    Who can file: Anyone affected by the company's practices (US or international)
    What you need: Your account details, a timeline of relevant events, and a description of the specific issue
    What to expect: Complaints inform FTC enforcement priorities and investigations but do not result in individual resolution or compensation
    File a complaint →
  • State Attorney General
    State AGs in California, New York, Texas, and other states can investigate violations of state consumer protection and privacy laws, including CCPA (California), SHIELD Act (New York), and equivalents.
    Who can file: Residents of states with comprehensive privacy laws — primarily California, Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, and Utah
    What you need: Evidence of the violation, explanation of how your state rights were affected, and your account or contact information with the company
    What to expect: Outcomes vary by state. May result in investigation, enforcement action, or requirement for the company to change practices. No direct individual compensation in most cases.

    Search "[your state] attorney general consumer complaint" to find your state's direct complaint form

Applicable regulations

CCPA/CPRA
California, USA
Connecticut Data Privacy Act Amendments
US-CT
CAN-SPAM
United States Federal
FTC Act Section 5
United States Federal
GDPR
European Union
Indiana Consumer Data Protection Act
US-IN
Kentucky Consumer Data Protection Act
US-KY
Universal Opt-Out Mechanism Expansion 2026
US

Provision details

Document information
Document
Cloudflare Privacy Policy
Entity
Cloudflare
Document last updated
May 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
May 9, 2026
Last verified
May 9, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-004661
Document ID
CA-D-00282
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
a064dbc72c132183a5977f85d35f4fcab210be3ae8baa95a0ce1278288c6ad03
Analysis generated
May 9, 2026 18:32 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: Cloudflare
Document: Cloudflare Privacy Policy
Record ID: CA-P-004661
Captured: 2026-05-09 18:32:48 UTC
SHA-256: a064dbc72c132183…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/cloudflare/cloudflare-privacy-policy/provision/CA-P-004661/cookies-and-tracking-technologies/
Accessed: Sept. 8, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
Medium
Categories

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Cloudflare's Cookies and Tracking Technologies clause do?

Third-party advertising and cross-site tracking technologies extend Cloudflare's data collection beyond its own services into your broader browsing behavior, which is a category of processing that carries heightened consent requirements in the EU and opt-out rights in California.

How does this clause affect you?

Cookies and third-party trackers used by Cloudflare may follow your activity across multiple websites, not just Cloudflare's own pages, and this data may be used to serve you targeted advertising.

How many platforms have this type of clause?

ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 289 platforms. See the full comparison.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Cloudflare?

No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Cloudflare.