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Hafan

Glossary

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Glossary

  • Application Programming Interface (API): A computing interface that defines interactions between multiple software intermediaries.
  • Client: A system or program that requests the activity of one or more other systems or programmes, called servers, to accomplish specific tasks. In a client-server environment, the web user’s interface, such as a web browser, is usually the client.
  • Device fingerprinting: Collecting pieces of information about a device’s software or hardware. These can be combined to uniquely identify a particular device.
  • First party: The online service the subscriber or user is visiting. For example, in a web browser context, if someone visits the website https://example.com, Example.com is the first party.
  • HTTP Header: Additional information passed between a client and a server in an HTTP request or response. For example, in a request header, information is provided about the request context, such as what browser is being used, so that the server may provide a correct response.
  • JavaScript: A dynamic programming language used for web development.
  • Persistent storage: When information is stored between browser sessions and can therefore have a longer duration.
  • Server-side solutions: Where data received from the client-side is further processed and distributed to various tag partners on a remote server.
  • Session: A ‘session’ refers to a certain timeframe for communication between two devices, two systems or two parts of a system. For example, session cookies generally expire when someone closes their browser or shortly afterwards.
  • Session storage: When information is stored for the duration of a ‘session’. For example, session cookies generally expire when someone closes their browser or shortly afterwards.
  • Software Development Kit (SDK): A set of tools used for developing applications provided by hardware and software providers. They usually include application programming interfaces (APIs), sample code and documentation.
  • Subscriber: A person who is party to a contract with a provider or public electronic communications services for the supply of such services.
  • Third party: An organisation that is distinct from the online service the subscriber or user is currently visiting. For example, in a web browser context, if someone is visiting the website https://example.com, for analytics services provided by https://analytics.com about visitors to https://example.com, https://analytics.com is considered a third party.
  • Tracking pixel: Small pieces of code, usually an image file, embedded into a piece of content like a website or an email. Their purpose is to create a communication between the user’s client (eg a web browser) and a server. May also be called: web beacon, web bug, tracking bug, tag, web tag, page tag, pixel tag, 1×1 GIF, spy pixel or clear GIF.
  • User: Any person using a public electronic communications service.
  • Web server: The central location that hosts web pages or a website and enables a remote 'client' to access the material held.

Further reading — ICO guidance 

Key concepts and definitions