GitHub uses cookies for authentication, preferences, analytics, and advertising, and allows third-party analytics and advertising partners to set cookies on GitHub services; blocking cookies may affect how the service works.
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
The policy discloses that third-party analytics and advertising partners may set cookies on GitHub services, meaning data about your browsing behavior on GitHub may be collected by third parties under those third parties' own privacy terms.
Interpretive note: The policy does not name specific advertising partners or detail what data is shared with them, creating uncertainty about the full scope of third-party cookie data collection.
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 →Added language stating that refusing cookies "may affect the functionality of GitHub services," creating potential pressure to accept cookies despite user preference.
View full change record →The policy authorizes GitHub and third-party analytics and advertising partners to use cookies and tracking technologies to collect browsing behavior and usage data; disabling cookies via browser settings may reduce functionality but limits this third-party tracking.
How other platforms handle this
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to object to profiling activities based on our own legitimate interests
"GitHub uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on our websites and services for purposes including authentication, preferences, analytics, and advertising. You may be able to adjust your browser settings to refuse cookies, but doing so may affect the functionality of GitHub services. GitHub also works with third-party analytics and advertising partners who may set their own cookies.Excerpt from GitHub's Privacy Statement
(1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: Cookie use and third-party tracking implicates the EU ePrivacy Directive, GDPR consent requirements for non-essential cookies, the UK PECR (Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations), and CCPA/CPRA provisions on sharing personal information with …
Enforcement risk, jurisdiction flags, contract triggers, and due diligence action items.
Ad personalization controls removed. Contact scanning added. Advertiser data partnerships quietly dropped. A timeline of every change.
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The policy discloses that third-party analytics and advertising partners may set cookies on GitHub services, meaning data about your browsing behavior on GitHub may be collected by third parties under those third parties' own privacy terms.
The policy authorizes GitHub and third-party analytics and advertising partners to use cookies and tracking technologies to collect browsing behavior and usage data; disabling cookies via browser settings may reduce functionality but limits this third-party tracking.
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 290 platforms. See the full comparison.
No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by GitHub.