Canvas cookies and data
Cookies are small data files sent to your browser when you visit a website. Cookies can last for the duration of a session (session cookies) or for several days, months, or years (persistent cookies).
Cookies are browser specific which means that the cookie is attached to and stored in a specific browser. Cookies are used by Canvas for functional and analytical purposes.
- Functional cookies are necessary to identify your page views without requiring you to authenticate for each page. These cookies are set when you first log into Canvas and remain in place until you log out or close your browser.
- Analytics cookies are used by Instructure you improve the software detect fraud and troubleshoot problems that may arise in Canvas.
What’s changing with cookies in Canvas
Canvas will introduce a cookie consent popup for non-essential product usage tracking. It will allow you to consent or decline these optional analytics cookies. Accepting these cookies will help Canvas analyse usage patterns, engagement and trends and help improve your experience.
What you need to do
The update will happen automatically, and you should be able to access Canvas as normal. A cookie consent popup will appear the first time you access Canvas. You can choose to accept the cookie settings or click the Cookie settings link to manage your preferences.
If you choose to decline the cookies non-essential tracking will not run and you can continue to use Canvas as normal. Essential cookies that are required for log in, navigation and learning activities will not be affected.
This update is part of Canvas’ ongoing work to provide and support a secure, reliable and user-friendly learning experience.
Data Canvas uses
Canvas stores information that helps you use the platform and supports teaching and learning. This may include:
- your name and University email address
- student identification numbers
- contact phone numbers (optional information)
- the courses you are enrolled on
- assignment submissions and grades
- discussion posts and messages
- your learning progress and activity, such as when you last accessed a course
- personal settings, such as your language or notification preferences
- your personal pronouns if specified
How Canvas uses cookies
They help Canvas to:
- keep you signed in while you work
- remember your settings and preferences
- load pages more quickly
- support features such as embedded videos and external learning tools
- help identify and fix technical issues
- track usage
Data safety
This update does not change how Canvas stores or protects your personal information. It is a choice about accepting the use of non-essential analytics cookies, which will help with future improvements for you within Canvas.
Relevant weblinks
Date of last update: 25 June 2026
