Cookie Comprehension Survey

1. What is your age group? *

2. What is your gender? *

Male Female Prefer not to say

3. What is the highest level of education you have completed? *

High school or below Some college / Undergraduate student Bachelor’s degree Postgraduate degree (Master’s/PhD) Other

4. Occupation *

Student Employed full-time Employed part-time Self-employed Unemployed Retired

5. How would you describe your technical knowledge of computers and the internet? *

(1 = Complete beginner – 5 = Expert)

6. On average, how many hours per day do you spend on the internet (any device)?*

7. How familiar are you with what cookies do? *

Very familiar Somewhat familiar Heard of them but don’t know much Not familiar at all

8. Where did you first learn about cookies? (Check all that apply)

School or college Social media News or online articles Friends or family From cookie pop-ups on websites I don’t remember

9. Which of the following do you believe cookies are used for? *

To track user behavior and preferences To improve website performance To store passwords securely To infect computers with viruses I don’t know

10. Cookies can collect personal data about users. *

Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree

11. Cookies help websites remember things like login or shopping cart items. *

True False

12. Cookies can continue tracking even after I leave a website. *

True False

13. Cookies can directly read files on your computer (like photos or documents). *

True False

14. All cookies are used for advertising. *

True False Not sure

15. I can use the internet normally even if I block all cookies. *

True False Not sure

16. How concerned are you about your privacy when websites use cookies? *

Not concerned at all Slightly concerned Moderately concerned Very concerned Extremely concerned

17. Do you trust websites that ask for cookie consent? *

Always Sometimes Rarely Never

18. Have you ever changed your cookie preferences? *

Yes, often Occasionally Never I didn’t know that was possible

19. When a cookie banner appears, what do you usually do? *

Accept all cookies Reject all cookies Customize my cookie settings Ignore or close the banner

20. Would you continue using a website if it required all cookies? *

Yes No Depends on the website

21. Which of these browsers have you used in the past 12 months? [Select All that apply]*

22. Have you ever noticed differences in cookie consent options between apps and websites? *

Yes No Not sure

23. Do you think websites explain cookie usage clearly? *

Yes Somewhat No

24. What would help you understand cookie usage better? (Check all that apply)

Simpler explanations in plain language Visual icons or infographics Shorter privacy policies Nothing — I already understand it well

25. Should websites be required to make cookie acceptance optional? *

Yes No Not sure

26. Overall, how well do you think you understand cookies and their purpose? *

Very well Fairly well Slightly Not at all

27. Have you heard of any laws or regulations about online privacy or cookies? *

Yes No

28. How often do you read privacy policies before accepting cookies? *

29. Users have the legal right to refuse non-essential cookies on websites. *

True False

30. How much control do you feel you have over your online privacy right now? *

(1 = No control at all – 5 = Complete control)

31. Do you believe websites comply with privacy laws when asking for cookie consent? *

32. How confident are you in understanding your legal rights related to cookies and online privacy? *

Very confident Somewhat confident Not very confident Not confident at all

33. Governments should enforce stricter rules on how websites use cookies. *

Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree

34. Cookie consent banners are mainly shown to comply with laws, not to protect users. *

Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree

35. I would be more likely to read cookie policies if they were standardized across all websites. *

Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree

36. What influences your choice the most when accepting or rejecting cookies? *

Convenience (I just want to access the site) Privacy concerns Trust in the website Curiosity about settings I don’t think much about it

37. Have you ever used a browser setting or plugin to block cookies automatically? *

Yes No

38. How often do you read cookie or privacy policies before accepting? *

Always Sometimes Rarely Never

39. If a website offers a “Reject All” button, do you usually click it? *

Always Often Sometimes Never

40. Would you be more likely to manage cookie settings if the options were simpler and clearer? *

Yes No Not sure

I consent to my anonymous responses being used for research. *

Cookie Comprehension Survey

Section A: Demographic Information