Cookie Policy

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Context

The notice covers Twitch's websites, apps and services that link to it

This Cookie Notice applies to your use of www.twitch.tv and to any other websites, applications or services provided by Twitch Interactive, Inc. (with its affiliates) that link to this notice. The notice calls all of these the Twitch Services. The text supplied here names no other region or audience limit.

Supporting quotations

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”)

Qualifications & exceptions

• Applies to services that link to this notice; a Twitch service that does not link to it is not covered by these words.

Not stated here

• Which specific websites, apps or services link to this notice is not listed in the supplied text.

Data Access & Collection · Company practice

'Cookies' means more than browser cookies

Twitch says it uses certain technologies to collect information through the Twitch Services. In this notice it uses the word 'cookies' for all of them together, and lists HTTP cookies, local storage, pixel tags and web beacons. So later statements about 'cookies' cover those technologies, not only browser cookie files.

Supporting quotations

Twitch uses certain technologies to collect information through Twitch Services

these technologies, which include HTTP cookies, local storage, pixel tags and web beacons, collectively as “cookies.”

Qualifications & exceptions

• The list is introduced by 'include', so it is not stated to be complete.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Permission or license

Twitch may change the notice at any time

Twitch reserves the right to change, supplement or replace this Cookie Notice at any time. It points readers to the 'last modified' legend at the top of the page to see when it was last revised. The supplied text states no advance notice, notice to account holders or objection process.

Supporting quotations

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.

Qualifications & exceptions

• The notice itself says that the way to see a revision is to check the 'last modified' legend.

Not stated here

• The 'last modified' legend is not part of the supplied text, so the revision date is not stated here.
• No advance notice or notification method is described.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Company practice

Using Twitch is treated as accepting its cookie practices

The notice says that by visiting www.twitch.tv, creating a Twitch account or using the Twitch Services, you are accepting the information handling practices and the storage of, and access to, cookies as described in this notice. The same paragraph says Twitch hopes the notice helps you understand its use of cookies.

Supporting quotations

you are accepting the information handling practices and storage, and access of cookies as described in this Cookie Notice

Qualifications & exceptions

• Triggered by visiting the site, creating an account or using the Twitch Services.

Not stated here

• The notice does not say how this acceptance relates to the cookie banner choices described later.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Procedure

Cookie questions go to privacy@twitch.tv

If you have further questions about the notice, it tells you to contact Twitch at privacy@twitch.tv.

Supporting quotations

please contact us at privacy@twitch.tv.

Data Access & Collection · Context

Cookies are small files that send information to whoever placed them

Twitch describes cookies as small text files stored on your devices. When you access a website, a cookie is placed on your device and sends information to the party that placed it. Websites and apps can read and write these files to recognize a particular device and remember information such as your user preferences.

Supporting quotations

a cookie is placed on your device, and it will send information to the party that placed the cookie

websites and software applications can read and write these files, enabling them to recognize a particular device and remember important information

Qualifications & exceptions

• General description of cookies, not a list of what Twitch itself places.

Account & Service Control · Restriction or exception

Turning cookies off can break features, and mobile limits still apply

Twitch says that if cookies are disabled, not all features of the Twitch Services or Extensions may operate as intended. It also says some mobile operating systems may limit cookies and similar technologies further, and that your choices do not override those more limited settings on such devices.

Supporting quotations

if cookies are disabled, not all features of the Twitch Services or Extensions may operate as intended

your choices do not override those more limited settings on such mobile devices

Qualifications & exceptions

• Wording is 'not all features ... may operate as intended', so which features is not specified.
• The mobile-device point applies to operating systems that further limit cookies.

Not stated here

• 'Extensions' is not defined in the supplied text.
• The notice does not say which features stop working.

Data Access & Collection · Context

Twitch sorts the cookies it may use by time, by party and by purpose

Twitch says there are different types of cookies it may use when you visit www.twitch.tv, create a Twitch account or use the Twitch Services. It groups them under three labels: time-based, party-based and purpose-based. The statements below say what each group means; 'may use' means not every type is stated to be set for every visitor.

Supporting quotations

There are different types of cookies we may use

Time-Based Cookie:

Party-Based Cookies:

Purpose-Based Cookies:

Qualifications & exceptions

• Described as cookies Twitch 'may' use, not as a statement of which ones any individual visitor receives.

Retention & Deletion · Company practice

Session cookies last until you close your browser

Session cookies are temporary and last for the duration of your visit to the Twitch Services, until you close your browser. When the session ends the cookie is automatically deleted. Twitch adds that a session cookie usually stores information needed to keep your visit running smoothly.

Supporting quotations

Session cookies are cookies that last until you close your browser

Once a session ends, the cookie is automatically deleted.

It usually stores information needed to keep your visit running smoothly.

Qualifications & exceptions

• 'Usually' signals that what a session cookie stores is not stated to be limited to keeping a visit running.

Not stated here

• The notice does not list which cookies are session cookies.

Retention & Deletion · Company commitment

Persistent cookies last until deleted or expired, and Twitch's own are capped at thirteen months

Persistent cookies last until you delete them from your browser or until they expire in accordance with their lifespan. Twitch says its own persistent cookies on Twitch Services will have a maximum lifespan of thirteen months from the time you last used the Twitch Services.

Supporting quotations

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.

Qualifications & exceptions

• The thirteen-month maximum is stated only for Twitch-originated persistent cookies on Twitch Services.
• The thirteen months run from the time you last used the Twitch Services.

Not stated here

• The notice states no lifespan for persistent cookies placed by third parties.
• No lifespan is given for the individual cookies in the examples table.

Data Access & Collection · Company practice

First-party cookies let Twitch run the service and track behavior patterns

First-party cookies are created and accessed by the domain you are visiting, here Twitch. Twitch says they enable it to operate an efficient service and to track patterns of user behavior on the Twitch Service.

Supporting quotations

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.

Qualifications & exceptions

• The behavior-tracking purpose is stated in general terms and not tied to particular cookies.

Not stated here

• The notice does not say which first-party cookies track behavior patterns or how long that data is kept.

Sharing & Disclosure · Company practice

Twitch sometimes lets third parties place cookies on your device

Third-party cookies are created and accessed by domains other than the one you are visiting. Twitch says that, in accordance with the law applicable in your jurisdiction, it sometimes allows third parties to place cookies on your device by accessing the Twitch Services website. The notice says these cookies are placed by the third party, not by Twitch.

Supporting quotations

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.

Qualifications & exceptions

• Stated to be 'sometimes' and 'in accordance with the law applicable in your respective jurisdiction'.

Not stated here

• The notice does not say which jurisdictions' laws apply or what they require here.
• The third parties are not listed in general terms; only some partners appear in the examples table.

Cross-references

• qualified by (model-proposed): Twitch says it does not control or access what third-party cookies collect — The statement that Twitch does not control or access third-party cookie information qualifies the statement that Twitch sometimes allows third parties to place cookies.

Sharing & Disclosure · Restriction or exception

Twitch says it does not control or access what third-party cookies collect

Twitch says that while it allows third parties to place third-party cookies, it does not retain control over the information those cookies supply, nor does it retain access to it. It says that information is controlled wholly by the third party according to that third party's own privacy policy.

Supporting quotations

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.

Qualifications & exceptions

• Stated for third-party cookies placed by third parties, not for Twitch's own cookies.

Not stated here

• The third parties' privacy policies are not supplied in this document.
• The notice does not say whether this statement covers the partner cookies in the examples table that are described as helping Twitch with advertising or marketing measurement.

Cross-references

• contrast (model-proposed): Table: Branch and Salesforce DMP cookies help Twitch acquire users with targeted ads and measure campaign return — Twitch says it does not retain control over or access to the information third-party cookies supply, while the examples table lists Branch and Salesforce DMP cookies that help Twitch acquire users and measure campaign return. The notice does not say how these fit together.
• qualifies (model-proposed): Twitch sometimes lets third parties place cookies on your device — The statement that Twitch does not control or access third-party cookie information qualifies the statement that Twitch sometimes allows third parties to place cookies.

Use & Processing · Company practice

Third parties may use cookies to deliver and measure ads on Twitch and other sites

Twitch says third parties may use cookies while delivering and measuring content, including ads, relevant to your interests on Twitch and on third-party sites.

Supporting quotations

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.

Qualifications & exceptions

• Stated as something third parties 'may' do.

Not stated here

• The notice does not name these third parties here or say how interests are determined.

Use & Processing · Company practice

Third parties may use cookies to help Twitch gain users and measure its marketing

Twitch says third parties may also use cookies to assist Twitch in acquiring new users and in measuring the effectiveness of its marketing campaigns.

Supporting quotations

Third-parties may also use cookies to assist us in acquiring new users and measuring the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns.

Qualifications & exceptions

• Stated as something third parties 'may' do.

Not stated here

• The notice does not say what information reaches Twitch from this measurement.

Account & Service Control · Restriction or exception

Operational cookies are critical and cannot be disabled without severely affecting use

Operational cookies are described as critical to the operation of the Twitch Services, for example to maintain your login state and remember your preferences. Twitch says they cannot be disabled without severely affecting your use of the Twitch Services.

Supporting quotations

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.

Qualifications & exceptions

• Login state and preferences are given as examples, so the purposes are not stated to be limited to those two.

Use & Processing · Company practice

Analytics cookies measure how people use the Twitch website

Analytics cookies, also called performance cookies, are used to measure how users interact with the Twitch Services website. Twitch says their primary purpose is to help site owners understand and improve site performance.

Supporting quotations

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.

Qualifications & exceptions

• Described as the 'primary' purpose, so other purposes are not excluded.

Not stated here

• The notice does not say who the 'site owners' are beyond Twitch, or which analytics cookies Twitch sets itself.

Data Access & Collection · Company practice

Advertising cookies collect browsing activity and device identifiers for personalized ads

Advertising cookies, also called targeting or marketing cookies, collect information about a user's browsing activity, preferences and device identifiers so that advertisers and publishers can deliver, measure and optimize personalized advertising. Twitch says they help Twitch and its advertising partners show you more relevant ads and measure how well ad campaigns work.

Supporting quotations

collect information about a user’s browsing activity, preferences, and device identifiers so that advertisers and publishers can deliver, measure, and optimize personalized advertising

advertising cookies help Twitch and our advertising partners show you more relevant ads, and measure the effectiveness of ad campaigns

Qualifications & exceptions

• The general definition covers advertisers and publishers as well as Twitch and its advertising partners.

Not stated here

• The notice does not name the advertisers and publishers or state how long the information is kept.

Data Access & Collection · Context

The cookie table gives examples, not a full list, and does not label each row by type

Below its three cookie types Twitch gives a two-column table, Cookie ID and Purpose, introduced as examples of operational, analytics and advertising cookies. It is a set of examples, and the table does not mark which row is operational, analytics or advertising, or give any lifespan or party for a row.

Supporting quotations

Examples of operational, analytics, and advertising cookies:

Cookie ID

Purpose

Qualifications & exceptions

• Introduced as 'examples', so cookies not in the table may also be used.

Not stated here

• The table does not state which rows are operational, analytics or advertising, or which are first-party or third-party.

Security & Safeguards · Context

Table: auth-token is used for authentication and authorization, api_token for security

The examples table lists auth-token with the purpose 'Authentication & authorization' and api_token with the purpose 'Security'.

Supporting quotations

auth-token

Authentication & authorization

api_token

Security

Qualifications & exceptions

• Each purpose is the one entry in the Purpose column for that Cookie ID row.

Account & Service Control · Context

Table: language and three interface cookies are listed as user preferences

The examples table lists language, enable-compact-scene-listing, videoChat.notice_dismissed and chat_rules_shown, each with the purpose 'User preferences'.

Supporting quotations

language

User preferences

enable-compact-scene-listing

User preferences

videoChat.notice_dismissed

User preferences

chat_rules_shown

User preferences

Qualifications & exceptions

• Each purpose is the one entry in the Purpose column for that Cookie ID row.

Not stated here

• The table says only 'User preferences' and does not describe what each cookie remembers.

Data Access & Collection · Context

Table: twitch.lohp.countryCode is used for country determination

The examples table lists twitch.lohp.countryCode with the purpose 'Country determination'. The table does not say how the country is determined or what is stored.

Supporting quotations

twitch.lohp.countryCode

Country determination

Not stated here

• The table does not say how the country is determined, what is stored, or what the country is used for.

Use & Processing · Context

Table: algoliasearch-client-js is used for search optimization

The examples table lists algoliasearch-client-js with the purpose 'Search optimization'.

Supporting quotations

algoliasearch-client-js

Search optimization

Not stated here

• The table does not say whether this cookie is first-party or third-party, or what it stores.

Sharing & Disclosure · Context

Table: Google Analytics cookies are used by developers of extensions you may install

The examples table lists Google Analytics cookies, for example _ga, _gid and _gat. Their purpose is given as being used by developers of extensions you may choose to install, to help those developers analyze usage to improve extensions. The row describes extension developers as the users of these cookies, not Twitch.

Supporting quotations

Google Analytics e.g. _ga, _gid, _gat

Used by developers of extensions you may choose to install.

Helps developers analyze usage to improve extensions.

Qualifications & exceptions

• Applies to extensions you choose to install.

Not stated here

• The notice does not say what information reaches extension developers or what their own policies provide.

Sharing & Disclosure · Company practice

Table: ad-id and ad-privacy (Amazon) inform ad delivery on Twitch through Amazon and other partners

The examples table lists ad-id and ad-privacy (Amazon) with the purpose of informing advertising activity and the delivery of ads on Twitch, including interest-based ads, through Amazon advertising systems and other partners.

Supporting quotations

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.

Qualifications & exceptions

• Includes interest-based ads and extends to 'other partners' as well as Amazon.

Not stated here

• The other partners are not named, and the table does not say what information is shared with them.

Sharing & Disclosure · Company practice

Table: Branch and Salesforce DMP cookies help Twitch acquire users with targeted ads and measure campaign return

In one row, the examples table lists cookies _s and branch_session (Branch) together with kxsegs, kxuser and kxtwitch_* (Salesforce DMP). The row's single purpose says they help Twitch (1) acquire new users by delivering targeted ads to users off Twitch properties and (2) measure marketing campaign return on investment to determine the sources of new Twitch users.

Supporting quotations

_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.

Qualifications & exceptions

• One purpose entry covers all the cookies in this row; the table does not say which cookie serves which purpose.

Not stated here

• The table does not say which cookie serves which of the two purposes.
• The table does not say what data these cookies pass to Branch or Salesforce.

Cross-references

• contrast (model-proposed): Twitch says it does not control or access what third-party cookies collect — Twitch says it does not retain control over or access to the information third-party cookies supply, while the examples table lists Branch and Salesforce DMP cookies that help Twitch acquire users and measure campaign return. The notice does not say how these fit together.

Sharing & Disclosure · Context

Table: uid and uidr (comScore) are an ads measurement and analytics partner's cookies

The examples table lists uid and uidr (comScore) with the purpose 'Ads measurement and analytics partner.'

Supporting quotations

uid, uidr (comScore)

Ads measurement and analytics partner.

Not stated here

• The table does not say what comScore receives or how it uses it.

Account & Service Control · User right or choice

You may be shown a cookie banner with options, and it varies by location

Twitch says that when you first visit twitch.tv you may be shown a banner with options to control which cookies are placed on your device and how they are used. It says the banner varies by location because different regions have different cookie requirements.

Supporting quotations

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.

Qualifications & exceptions

• Only 'may' be shown; whether you get a banner and which options you get depend on your location.

Not stated here

• The notice does not list which locations get a banner or what options appear.

Account & Service Control · User right or choice

If shown a banner, you can revisit your choices in Settings

If you are shown a cookie banner, you can revisit your cookie choices through Settings > Security and Privacy > Cookie Preferences. The sentence applies to people who were shown a banner; the notice describes browser settings separately for everyone else.

Supporting quotations

If you are shown a cookie banner, you can revisit your cookie choices through Settings > Security and Privacy > Cookie Preferences.

Qualifications & exceptions

• Applies if you are shown a cookie banner.

Not stated here

• The notice does not say whether a Cookie Preferences setting is available when no banner was shown.

Account & Service Control · User right or choice

Anyone can block or remove cookies in browser settings, but the site may not work properly

Twitch says anyone can prevent cookies from being stored, or remove cookies already stored, by adjusting browser settings, and that help is on the website of the browser used. It warns that disabling cookies when visiting the Website may cause some or all of its functions not to work properly.

Supporting quotations

anyone can prevent cookies from being stored or remove cookies already stored by adjusting the settings in your browser.

Remember that disabling cookies when visiting the Website may cause some or all of the functions of the Website not to work properly.

Qualifications & exceptions

• 'Website' is capitalized as a defined-looking term, but the notice defines only 'Twitch Services'.

Not stated here

• 'Website' is not defined in the supplied text.
• The notice does not say how browser-level blocking relates to the cookie banner choices.

Cross-references

• referred to by (model-proposed): Twitch points to browser help pages for managing cookies in five browsers — The list of browser help pages follows and supports the statement that anyone can block or remove cookies in browser settings.

Account & Service Control · Procedure

Twitch points to browser help pages for managing cookies in five browsers

To help you manage cookies in the most popular browsers, Twitch lists links for Google Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer, Edge and Firefox. This follows its statement that anyone can block or remove cookies in browser settings. The linked pages are the browser makers' pages and are not part of this document.

Supporting quotations

For more information on how to manage the most popular browsers, see below:

Google Chrome:

Safari:

Internet Explorer:

Edge:

Firefox:

Qualifications & exceptions

• Covers only the five browsers listed.

Not stated here

• The linked browser pages are not supplied, so what they say is not analyzed here.
• The notice does not say how to manage cookies in browsers that are not listed.

Cross-references

• refers to (model-proposed): Anyone can block or remove cookies in browser settings, but the site may not work properly — The list of browser help pages follows and supports the statement that anyone can block or remove cookies in browser settings.

Account & Service Control · User right or choice

Twitch names two industry sites for choosing how advertising cookies are used

Twitch says online tools such as the Digital Advertising Alliance's Browser Check and the European Digital Advertising Alliance's Your Online Choices site explain digital advertising and let you choose how cookies are used across the web, based on your location and the device and browser you use.

Supporting quotations

There are also online tools such as

Digital Advertising Alliance’s Browser Check

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.

Qualifications & exceptions

• Choices depend on your location and on the device and browser you use.

Not stated here

• These are outside sites whose contents are not supplied; the notice does not say whether their choices cover cookies placed through the Twitch Services.