Coursera · Coursera Privacy Notice · View original document ↗

Cookie and Behavioral Tracking

Medium severity Rare · 3 of 343 platforms
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Recent governance activity Coursera recorded 3 documented changes in the last 30 days.
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Document Record

What it is

Coursera uses cookies and tracking tools to follow your browsing behavior on their site and to show you targeted advertisements.

This analysis describes what Coursera'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)

The provision establishes the operational basis for behavioral data collection across user sessions. This tracking infrastructure enables personalization of the user experience, analytics for platform optimization, and the generation of audience segments for advertising purposes.

Recent Activity

This document changed recently

Medium May 11, 2026

The updated terms now explicitly disclose that Coursera processes communications through voice-enabled features that transcribe audio into text, and clarify that personal data may be shared with third parties including affiliates and business partners. The policy expands descriptions of AI-driven personalization and chatbot applications that use your learning and interaction data. The terms establish that data may be transferred to entities that become Coursera affiliates or subsidiaries during business transitions. You should review the updated guidance that cautions against including unnecessary or sensitive personal data in the platform's free-text and voice-enabled communication features.

View change record →
Medium Apr 18, 2026

The updated Privacy Notice removes explicit language stating that the policy does not apply to Coursera's Ollie mobile application and no longer directs users to a separate Ollie Privacy Notice for that app. Previously, users of Ollie had clear notice to consult a dedicated privacy policy; that direction is now absent from the main Privacy Notice. The updated notice also narrows the scope of covered entities by removing 'affiliates' from the definition of Coursera, stating the policy now applies to Coursera, Inc., its subsidiaries, and international branches only. Users of the Ollie App should independently verify what privacy terms currently govern that application, as the main Coursera Privacy Notice no longer explicitly addresses Ollie coverage.

View change record →

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Coursera deploys behavioral tracking technologies that collect your browsing activity and use it for targeted advertising — California residents can opt out of this under CPRA, and EU users must provide consent under ePrivacy rules.

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
    Access Coursera's cookie preference center via the Privacy Notice page or cookie banner on the website to opt out of non-essential tracking and behavioral advertising cookies.

How other platforms handle this

Teladoc Medium

function initMunchkin() { if (didInit === false) { didInit = true; Munchkin.init('479-KGM-236', { altIds: ['138-DRH-707'], }); } } var s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.async = true; s.src = '//munchkin.marketo.net/munchkin.js';

Arlo Medium

<!-- OneTrust Cookies Consent Notice start for arlo.com --> <script async data-cfasync="false" type="text/javascript" src="https://cdn.cookielaw.org/consent/dabf8452-cb28-42ac-b994-02f10392b33c/OtAutoBlock.js"></script> <script async data-cfasync="false" src="https://cdn.cookielaw.org/scripttemplate...

OpenAI Medium

We automatically collect certain information from your device, including information about your web browser, IP address, time zone, and some of the cookies that are installed on your device. Additionally, as you browse the Service, we collect information about the individual web pages or products th...

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
We use cookies, web beacons, and similar tracking technologies to collect information about your browsing activities and to distinguish you from other users of our platform. This helps us to provide you with a good experience when you browse our platform and also allows us to improve our platform and deliver targeted advertising.

— Excerpt from Coursera's Coursera Privacy Notice

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (Compliance & governance intelligence)

(1) REGULATORY FRAMEWORK: This provision implicates the EU ePrivacy Directive (2002/58/EC) and national implementing legislation requiring prior consent for non-essential cookies; GDPR Art. 6(1)(a) (consent as legal basis for advertising tracking); CCPA §1798.120 and CPRA amendments giving California residents the right to opt out of sale/sharing for cross-context behavioral advertising; and FTC Act Section 5 for deceptive tracking practices. Enforcement: EU DPAs (particularly French CNIL, Irish DPC), California Privacy Protection Agency, FTC. (2)

Full compliance analysis

Regulatory citations, enforcement risk, and due diligence action items.

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Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    FTC has authority over deceptive or unfair cookie-based tracking and behavioral advertising practices under FTC Act Section 5.
    File a complaint →
  • State AG
    California AG and California Privacy Protection Agency enforce CPRA opt-out rights for behavioral advertising tracking.
    File a complaint →

Applicable regulations

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

Provision details

Document information
Document
Coursera Privacy Notice
Entity
Coursera
Document last updated
May 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
April 18, 2026
Last verified
April 18, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-002856
Document ID
CA-D-00158
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
062caff3444fccccf0cccb271ab50fff394a5a3641a48727efc029ee14593866
Analysis generated
April 18, 2026 10:17 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: Coursera
Document: Coursera Privacy Notice
Record ID: CA-P-002856
Captured: 2026-04-18 10:17:08 UTC
SHA-256: 062caff3444fcccc…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/coursera/coursera-privacy-notice/cookie-and-behavioral-tracking/
Accessed: June 17, 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 Coursera's Cookie and Behavioral Tracking clause do?

The provision establishes the operational basis for behavioral data collection across user sessions. This tracking infrastructure enables personalization of the user experience, analytics for platform optimization, and the generation of audience segments for advertising purposes.

How does this clause affect you?

Coursera deploys behavioral tracking technologies that collect your browsing activity and use it for targeted advertising — California residents can opt out of this under CPRA, and EU users must provide consent under ePrivacy rules.

How many platforms have this type of clause?

ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 3 platforms. See the full comparison.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Coursera?

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