What is the section_data_ids cookie?
section_data_ids is an HTTP cookie generated automatically by Magento's core code (Customer/Persistent module), present on any online store built on this platform, regardless of version (Magento 2, Adobe Commerce). It is set by the store's own scripts, not by an external third-party service.
It appears on the first page load of the shop and is updated automatically every time a shopper interacts with dynamic interface elements, such as adding a product to the cart, logging into an account, or changing language/currency preferences.
What data it stores
The cookie's value is typically a serialized key-value object (JSON), where each key corresponds to the name of a Magento "section" (e.g. cart, customer, wishlist) and the associated value is a Unix timestamp marking that section's last update. The exact format can vary slightly between Magento versions.
The data is not sent to an external server; it is read by Magento's private_content JavaScript, which compares it against the browser's local cache to decide which sections need to be refreshed via AJAX from the server.
What it is used for
The cookie's role is purely functional: it lets Magento implement full-page caching while keeping personalized areas (cart, account, notifications) updated in real time, without invalidating the entire page cache for every visitor.
In practice, it prevents stale or incorrect data (such as an empty cart shown after a product was added) when a page is served from a cache shared across all visitors.
Does it require consent?
section_data_ids is classified as a strictly necessary cookie (required for the site's technical operation), per ANSPDCP guidance and European data protection authorities. It does not require prior visitor consent under Article 5 of the ePrivacy Directive, transposed into Romanian law via Law 506/2004.
- The site owner must still declare it in the cookie policy, with correct purpose, duration, and category.
- It should not be included in the list of cookies a CMP blocks by default, since blocking it can break shopping cart functionality.
How to block or delete section_data_ids
A visitor can manually delete or block this cookie from browser settings (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari – per-site cookie management), though this may affect store functionality: the cart, account, or language preferences may reset or behave unpredictably.
Because it is strictly necessary, a CMP such as CookieFix should not automatically block this script before consent, unlike statistics or marketing cookies, which it can hold back until the visitor consents.
Frequently asked questions
No, it is a strictly necessary cookie for the Magento store to function and falls outside the prior-consent requirement of Law 506/2004.
The browser will need to refresh all dynamic page sections (cart, account, wishlist) on the next interaction, which can temporarily show outdated data.
It is set by Magento's core platform (Customer/Persistent module) directly from the store's own site, not by an external third-party provider.
It is typically a session cookie, valid only while the browser stays open, though the exact duration can vary depending on the store's configuration.