Fact Check: "Cookie duration: 1825 (days)."
What We Know
The claim that cookies can have a duration of 1825 days (which is equivalent to 5 years) is partially accurate. Cookies are small files created by websites to store information on a user's device, and they can be categorized into two main types based on their expiration: session cookies and persistent cookies.
- Session Cookies: These are temporary and are deleted once the browser is closed. They do not have a set expiration date (source).
- Persistent Cookies: These cookies remain on the user's device until they reach their specified expiration date or are manually deleted. The duration of persistent cookies can vary significantly, ranging from days to years. It is indeed possible for a persistent cookie to be set with an expiration date of up to 1825 days or even longer (source, source).
Website developers have the ability to specify the expiration date for cookies when they are created, allowing for flexibility in how long cookies persist on a user's device (source).
Analysis
The claim that cookies can last for 1825 days is grounded in the functionality of persistent cookies. As mentioned, persistent cookies can be configured to last for extended periods, including several years. This is supported by multiple sources that discuss cookie expiration settings and their applications (source, source).
However, it is essential to note that not all cookies will last this long; the actual duration is determined by the website's developers and their specific use case. For instance, some cookies are intentionally set to expire much sooner, such as the default duration of 30 days for certain affiliate links (source).
The reliability of the sources used to support this claim is generally high, particularly the information from About Cookies and Cookieserve, which are reputable resources for understanding cookie behavior and management. The information provided is factual and aligns with standard web development practices.
Conclusion
The claim that cookies can have a duration of 1825 days is Partially True. While it is accurate that persistent cookies can be set to last for this duration, it is not universally applicable to all cookies. The actual expiration timeframe varies based on how the cookie is configured by the website developers. Therefore, while the claim is technically correct, it does not reflect the full spectrum of cookie behavior.
