GitHub · GitHub Privacy Statement · View original document ↗

Cookies and Advertising Tracking

Medium severity Rare · 1 of 343 platforms
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Document Record

What it is

GitHub uses cookies and tracking pixels to monitor your activity on the site and to show you targeted ads, and it shares this tracking data with third-party advertising partners.

This analysis describes what GitHub'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 clause establishes the operational mechanism through which GitHub collects behavioral data for both service functionality and advertising purposes, and defines the scope of data sharing with external analytics and ad technology vendors. This authorization applies across GitHub properties and third-party websites where tracking partners operate.

Recent Activity

This document changed recently

High Apr 28, 2026

The updated terms now explicitly authorize GitHub to collect AI outputs generated within the platform alongside user-provided code and content, and to share personal data with Microsoft and other GitHub affiliates for purposes including training and improving artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies. The privacy statement indicates that aggregate and de-identified data will be used where feasible, but the updated language establishes broader authority for affiliate data sharing and AI model development than the previous version stated. The revised terms also remove specific disclosure of the conditions under which GitHub personnel may access private repositories, replacing that detail with a cross-reference to the Terms of Service, which means the scope of internal GitHub access to private repositories is now defined in a separate contract document rather than the privacy statement itself.

View change record →

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Third-party advertising partners can track your activity across GitHub and other websites using cookies and pixels, building a behavioral profile used for targeted advertising — data you did not explicitly consent to share with advertisers.

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
    Go to GitHub Account Settings > Privacy and adjust your cookie and tracking preferences to opt out of non-essential advertising cookies. You can also manage cookies through your browser settings.

How other platforms handle this

Netflix Medium

Cookies are small data files that are commonly stored on your device when you access websites and online services. The text in a cookie contains a string of numbers and letters that may uniquely identify a device and can contain other information as well. This allows the web server to recognize your...

Webull Medium

We and our third-party partners may use cookies, web beacons, pixel tags, and other tracking technologies to collect information about your use of our website and apps, including your browsing activity, device type, IP address, and referring URLs. We use this information to personalize your experien...

Coinbase Medium

Information from cookies and similar technologies. See our Cookies Policy for more information. Information we receive from our marketing partners, including in some instances what marketing content you viewed or the actions you take on and off our Sites and Apps, to better understand your preferenc...

See all platforms with this clause type →

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
We use cookies and similar tracking technologies (such as web beacons and pixels) to operate and provide our services, track your activity on GitHub, and deliver advertising. We may work with third-party analytics and advertising partners who use these technologies to collect information about your use of our services over time and across other websites and applications to deliver interest-based advertisements. You can control the use of cookies through your browser settings and our cookie preferences.

— Excerpt from GitHub's GitHub Privacy Statement

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (Compliance & governance intelligence)

REGULATORY FRAMEWORK: This provision implicates GDPR Art. 6(1)(a) (consent required for non-essential cookies under ePrivacy Directive 2002/58/EC as amended), CCPA/CPRA §1798.120 (right to opt out of sale/sharing of personal information including via cookies), IAB TCF 2.2 framework compliance requirements, and FTC Act Section 5 regarding deceptive tracking disclosures.

Full compliance analysis

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

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Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    FTC has authority under Section 5 over deceptive or unfair tracking and advertising data practices by technology platforms.
    File a complaint →
  • State AG
    California Attorney General and CPPA enforce CPRA opt-out rights for cross-context behavioral advertising facilitated by cookies.
    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
GitHub Privacy Statement
Entity
GitHub
Document last updated
May 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
April 27, 2026
Last verified
April 27, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-003597
Document ID
CA-D-00254
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
6b5f0a9a524d3261cfe25f12abc65ee86bfcca11dcb979d0a2c6fa30d7aa36e8
Analysis generated
April 27, 2026 14:59 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: GitHub
Document: GitHub Privacy Statement
Record ID: CA-P-003597
Captured: 2026-04-27 14:59:43 UTC
SHA-256: 6b5f0a9a524d3261…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/github/github-privacy-statement/cookies-and-advertising-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 GitHub's Cookies and Advertising Tracking clause do?

The clause establishes the operational mechanism through which GitHub collects behavioral data for both service functionality and advertising purposes, and defines the scope of data sharing with external analytics and ad technology vendors. This authorization applies across GitHub properties and third-party websites where tracking partners operate.

How does this clause affect you?

Third-party advertising partners can track your activity across GitHub and other websites using cookies and pixels, building a behavioral profile used for targeted advertising — data you did not explicitly consent to share with advertisers.

How many platforms have this type of clause?

ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 1 platforms. See the full comparison.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with GitHub?

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