What is the sessionid cookie?
sessionid is the standard session cookie of the Django web framework, widely used for building web applications in Python. It is set automatically by Django's SessionMiddleware, without requiring extra configuration from the developer.
The cookie appears as soon as a visitor interacts with a feature that requires server-side session state: logging in, using a shopping cart, filling out a multi-step form, or visiting any page that relies on Django's session framework. In practice, any site or web app built with Django that has user accounts or needs to keep temporary data between pages will set this cookie.
What data it stores
sessionid does not store the session data itself — it holds a unique, cryptographically secure identifier that links to a session entry kept on the server, in a database, cache, or another storage backend configured by the developer (Django's session engine).
The value is a randomly generated alphanumeric string with no directly readable user information embedded in the cookie. The actual data (e.g., the logged-in user's ID, shopping cart contents) is stored server-side and is not visible or accessible from the cookie itself. The cookie is sent only to the domain that set it (first-party), not to third parties.
What it is used for
Its main purpose is to preserve state across successive HTTP requests, since HTTP itself is stateless. Without this cookie, a logged-in user would be signed out with every page navigation.
The site uses it to recognize a visitor who has already authenticated, to keep track of shopping cart contents, temporary session preferences, or progress through a multi-step form. It serves no marketing or analytics purpose and is not used for advertising tracking.
Does it require consent?
Under CookieFix's classification, sessionid falls into the strictly necessary category (required for the site to function). Under Article 6 of Law 506/2004 (the Romanian transposition of the ePrivacy Directive) and ANSPDCP guidance on cookies, cookies strictly necessary to provide a service explicitly requested by the user — such as maintaining a login session — do not require prior consent.
- The site owner must still list it in the cookie policy, with its purpose and duration.
- It should not be grouped with categories that are off by default in the banner (statistics, marketing).
- If Django's session is repurposed for analytics or advertising, its classification should be reviewed.
How to block or delete sessionid
A visitor can delete or block this cookie from browser settings (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari – site cookie management section). Blocking it will typically log the user out or lose current session data, such as cart contents or an in-progress form.
Since it is strictly necessary, it should not be blocked through the consent banner, as doing so would break core site functionality. A CMP such as CookieFix can still discover this cookie automatically through scanning and classify it as necessary by default, while blocking scripts from other categories (statistics, marketing) until consent is given.
Frequently asked questions
No — as a strictly necessary cookie for session functionality (e.g., login), it does not require prior consent under ePrivacy/GDPR, but it must still be disclosed in the cookie policy.
You will be logged out of your account and lose any temporary session data, such as shopping cart contents or progress on an unsubmitted form.
Django's default duration is 2 weeks, though site administrators can configure it differently via the SESSION_COOKIE_AGE setting.
The cookie itself holds only a randomly generated identifier; the actual data is stored server-side, but the identifier can be considered personal data since it can identify a session tied to a specific user.