This Cookie Notice applies to your use of www.twitch.tv, and any other websites, applications, or services provided by Twitch Interactive, Inc. (with its affiliates, “Twitch”, “we” or “us”) that link to this Cookie Notice (collectively, the “Twitch Services”).
Twitch uses certain technologies to collect information through Twitch Services. In this Cookie Notice, we refer to these technologies, which include HTTP cookies, local storage, pixel tags and web beacons, collectively as “cookies.”
This notice explains the different types of cookies used on Twitch Services and how you can control them. We reserve the right to change, supplement or replace this Cookie Notice at any time. Please refer to the “last modified” legend at the top of this page to see when this Cookie Notice was last revised.
By visiting www.twitch.tv, creating your Twitch account, or using the Twitch Services, you are accepting the information handling practices and storage, and access of cookies as described in this Cookie Notice. We hope that this notice helps you understand, and feel more confident about, our use of cookies. If you have any further questions, please contact us at privacy@twitch.tv.
What is a Cookie?
Cookies are small text files that are stored on your devices. When you access a website, a cookie is placed on your device, and it will send information to the party that placed the cookie.
Cookies are widely used in order to make websites and software applications work, or work in a better, more efficient way. They can do this because websites and software applications can read and write these files, enabling them to recognize a particular device and remember important information that will make your use of a website or software application more convenient (e.g., by remembering your user preferences).
Please be aware that if cookies are disabled, not all features of the Twitch Services or Extensions may operate as intended. Some mobile operating systems may further limit the use of cookies and similar technologies; your choices do not override those more limited settings on such mobile devices.
What Cookies do we use and why do we use them?
There are different types of cookies we may use when you visit www.twitch.tv, create your Twitch account or use the Twitch Services.
Time-Based Cookie:
Session cookies:
Session cookies are cookies that last until you close your browser. This cookie is temporary and lasts for the duration of your visit for Twitch Services. Once a session ends, the cookie is automatically deleted.
It usually stores information needed to keep your visit running smoothly.
Persistent cookies:
Persistent cookies are cookies that last until you delete them from your browser, or until they expire in accordance with their lifespan.
Twitch-originated persistent cookies on Twitch Services will have a maximum lifespan of thirteen months from the time you last used the Twitch Services.
Party-Based Cookies:
First party cookies:
First-party cookies are created and accessed by the host domain - the domain the user is visiting, in this case, Twitch. These cookies enable Twitch to operate an efficient service and to track patterns of user behavior to Twitch Service.
Third-party cookies:
Third-party cookies are those created and accessed by domains other than the one the user is visiting at the time. In accordance with the law applicable in your respective jurisdiction, Twitch sometimes allows third parties to place cookies on your device. Third-party cookies are placed on your device by a third party (i.e., not by Twitch). While Twitch allows third parties to access Twitch Services website to place a third-party cookie on your device, Twitch does not retain control over the information supplied by the cookies, nor does Twitch retain access to this information. This information is controlled wholly by that third party according to the respective privacy policy of the third party.
Third-parties may use cookies in the process of delivering and measuring content, including ads, relevant to your interests on Twitch and third-party sites.
Third-parties may also use cookies to assist us in acquiring new users and measuring the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns.
Purpose-Based Cookies:
Operational Cookies:
These cookies are critical to the operation of the Twitch Services. These cookies are used, for example, to maintain your login state and remember your preferences. These cookies cannot be disabled without severely affecting your use of the Twitch Services.
Analytics Cookie:
Analytics cookies (also known as performance cookie) are a type of cookie used to measure how users interact with the Twitch Services website. Their primary purpose is to help site owners understand and improve site performance.
Advertising Cookies:
Advertising cookies (also known as targeting or marketing cookies) are cookies that collect information about a user’s browsing activity, preferences, and device identifiers so that advertisers and publishers can deliver, measure, and optimize personalized advertising. That is, advertising cookies help Twitch and our advertising partners show you more relevant ads, and measure the effectiveness of ad campaigns.
Examples of operational, analytics, and advertising cookies:
Cookie ID | Purpose |
auth-token | Authentication & authorization |
api_token | Security |
language | User preferences |
twitch.lohp.countryCode | Country determination |
enable-compact-scene-listing | User preferences |
videoChat.notice_dismissed | User preferences |
chat_rules_shown | User preferences |
algoliasearch-client-js | Search optimization |
Google Analytics e.g. _ga, _gid, _gat | Used by developers of extensions you may choose to install. Helps developers analyze usage to improve extensions. |
ad-id, ad-privacy (Amazon) | Informs advertising activity, the delivery of ads on Twitch (including interest-based ads), through Amazon advertising systems and other partners. |
_s; branch_session (Branch) kxsegs, kxuser, kxtwitch_* (Salesforce DMP) | Helps Twitch (1) acquire new users by delivering targeted Ads to users off Twitch properties (2) Measure marketing campaign ROI to determine the sources of new Twitch users. |
uid, uidr (comScore) | Ads measurement and analytics partner. |
How can you control, manage, and delete cookies?
When you first visit twitch.tv you may be shown a banner where you have options to control what cookies are placed on your device and how they are used. This banner varies by location, as different regions have different cookie requirements.
If you are shown a cookie banner, you can revisit your cookie choices through Settings > Security and Privacy > Cookie Preferences.
Additionally, anyone can prevent cookies from being stored or remove cookies already stored by adjusting the settings in your browser. You find help to adjust these settings on the website of the browser that you use. Remember that disabling cookies when visiting the Website may cause some or all of the functions of the Website not to work properly.
For more information on how to manage the most popular browsers, see below:
- Google Chrome: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647?hl=en
- Safari: https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/manage-cookies-and-website-data-sfri11471/mac
- Internet Explorer: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17442/windows-internet-explorer-delete-manage-cookies
- Edge: https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/4027947/microsoft-edge-delete-cookies
- Firefox: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/cookies-information-websites-store-on-your-computer
There are also online tools such as Digital Advertising Alliance’s Browser Check and European Digital Advertising Alliance’s Your Online Choices site that explain digital advertising and allow you to choose how cookies are used throughout the web based on your location and the device and browser you are using.