Abstract: The entry into force of the General Data Protection Regulation (EU Regulation no. 2016/679) brought back into question cookies and their interference with the privacy of Internet users, an old problem, which has remained unclarified and unregulated since their development in 1994. This study aims to analyse cookies and their legal implications in relation to international trade operations and data protection regulations. Internet Cookies are small files that contain information about the user, extracted from the analysis of his online activity. Cookies facilitate the user's digital experience, being responsible for storing preferences, settings or username, but also for displaying personalized advertising campaigns or the price fluctuation of a previously visited product. Monitoring users' online behaviour can determine economic advantages for the website owners; however, it raises complex issues regarding the legality of the processing of personal data and the data protection means.

Keywords: cookies; data protection; personal data; Internet; GDPR.