Shein · Shein Terms and Conditions · View original document ↗

Session Tracking Identifier System (cookieId / OEST)

Medium severity Medium confidence Explicitdocumentlanguage Unique · 0 of 325 platforms
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Document Record

What it is

Shein generates and stores a unique identifier for your browser session, called a 'cookieId' or 'OEST' token, which persists in both cookies and localStorage to track you across visits.

This analysis describes what Shein'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)

This persistent cross-session identifier enables Shein to link your browsing activity across multiple visits, which may constitute personal information under privacy laws and requires disclosure and, in some jurisdictions, consent.

Interpretive note: The full scope of data associated with the OEST identifier and its retention or deletion upon consent withdrawal cannot be determined from the document source alone.

Recent Activity

This document changed recently

Medium Apr 29, 2026

Previously, Shein asked users to explicitly agree or disagree with account persistence for future logins. The updated terms remove this choice entirely. Instead of a consent decision, users now see a…

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

A unique tracking token tied to your browser is created and stored in multiple locations (cookies and localStorage) when you visit Shein, enabling tracking of your behavior over time across visits to the site.

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.
  • Delete Your Data
    Visit Shein's Privacy Policy page to submit a data deletion request. Additionally, clear both cookies and localStorage in your browser settings to remove locally stored tracking identifiers.

How other platforms handle this

Zendesk Medium

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to track the activity on our websites and services and store certain information. Tracking technologies used include beacons, tags, and scripts to collect and track information and to improve and analyze our services. You can instruct your browser to ...

American Airlines Medium

American gets this information by using technologies, including cookies, web beacons, and mobile device geolocation to provide and improve our Interactive Services and advertising, including across browsers and devices (also known as cross-device linking). This technical information may be combined ...

GOAT Medium

We use cookies, web beacons, pixel tags, and other tracking technologies to collect information about your use of our Services. This information may include your IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URLs, and information about how you interact with our Services.

See all platforms with this clause type →

Monitoring

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
var D = _(); // cookieId derived from base64-decoded 'Y29va2llSWQ=' ... window.GLOBAL_SN_OEST.init({ ssrOest: "MUExQjVBNjlfNDY0N18zMEY0fDE3Nzc2NTI5ODA0MzZ8X0ZCMDhfQ0I3REMyMzI4QzBC", shouldSetCC: true, useCC:true, i18nKey: "Curve + Plus" });

— Excerpt from Shein's Shein Terms and Conditions

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (Compliance & governance intelligence)

REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: Persistent browser identifiers constitute personal information or personal data under CCPA, CPRA, and GDPR where they can be linked to an individual's browsing behavior. The FTC Act and applicable state privacy laws govern the use and disclosure of such identifiers. The ePrivacy Directive (EU Cookie Law) requires informed consent before storing non-essential tracking identifiers in the EU. GOVERNANCE EXPOSURE: Medium. The OEST system stores identifiers in both cookie storage and localStorage ('window.localStorage.setItem(M, ...)'), and the SDK configuration disables localStorage interception ('enableInterceptStorageList: false'). This means the consent management system may clear cookies upon opt-out but leave the localStorage-based identifier intact, creating a persistence gap that could undermine the effectiveness of user consent withdrawal. JURISDICTION FLAGS: California residents have the right to know about and request deletion of personal information including persistent identifiers under CCPA/CPRA. EU/EEA users require affirmative consent before non-essential identifier storage under GDPR and the ePrivacy Directive. The dual-storage approach (cookie plus localStorage) heightens exposure in jurisdictions with comprehensive cookie consent requirements. CONTRACT AND VENDOR IMPLICATIONS: The OEST token is transmitted server-side via the 'x-oest' header in a fetch call to Shein's BFF (backend for frontend) API, meaning the identifier flows beyond the browser to Shein's backend systems. Vendor and data processing agreements should account for this server-side identifier transmission. COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Compliance teams should audit whether the localStorage-based OEST identifier is cleared when a user withdraws consent or requests deletion, given that the SDK configuration explicitly disables localStorage interception. A consent mechanism review should confirm that this identifier is categorized appropriately (analytics vs. functional vs. advertising) in the cookie consent interface and that its retention period is disclosed.

Full compliance analysis

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

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Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    The FTC has authority over tracking practices and consent disclosures related to persistent browser identifiers
    File a complaint →

Applicable regulations

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
Universal Opt-Out Mechanism Expansion 2026
US

Provision details

Document information
Document
Shein Terms and Conditions
Entity
Shein
Document last updated
May 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
May 9, 2026
Last verified
May 9, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-007630
Document ID
CA-D-00261
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
e66c0e293b7f33eb3c4eed993e8358bb6e77c1a7e505238a1fc98adde899af94
Analysis generated
May 9, 2026 21:01 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: Shein
Document: Shein Terms and Conditions
Record ID: CA-P-007630
Captured: 2026-05-09 21:01:22 UTC
SHA-256: e66c0e293b7f33eb…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/shein/shein-terms-and-conditions/session-tracking-identifier-system-cookieid-oest/
Accessed: May 13, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
Medium
Categories

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Built from archived source documents, structured governance mappings, and historical version tracking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Shein's Session Tracking Identifier System (cookieId / OEST) clause do?

This persistent cross-session identifier enables Shein to link your browsing activity across multiple visits, which may constitute personal information under privacy laws and requires disclosure and, in some jurisdictions, consent.

How does this clause affect you?

A unique tracking token tied to your browser is created and stored in multiple locations (cookies and localStorage) when you visit Shein, enabling tracking of your behavior over time across visits to the site.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Shein?

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