AWS CloudFront

Overview

AWS CloudFront is Amazon's global content delivery network, serving as transparent infrastructure that accelerates website performance by caching assets at edge locations close to users. When detected on a website, it means the site's static files, media, or entire pages are being delivered through Amazon's CDN. CloudFront operates purely as delivery infrastructure with no advertising or behavioral tracking.

What This Script Does

CloudFront does not load tracking scripts or execute JavaScript on behalf of Amazon. It operates at the network layer, serving cached copies of the website's own content from the nearest edge location. Requests are routed through CloudFront's global network of 400+ points of presence.

CloudFront distributions are identified by *.cloudfront.net domains or custom domains configured by the website operator (a CNAME pointing to the CloudFront distribution).

CloudFront does set a limited number of cookies when specific features are enabled by the website operator:

• AWSALB and AWSALBCORS — Application Load Balancer sticky session cookies; set when CloudFront forwards requests to an ALB origin; used for server affinity; session-scoped
• CloudFront signed cookies — when the website uses CloudFront's private content feature, signed cookies (typically CloudFront-Policy, CloudFront-Signature, CloudFront-Key-Pair-Id) control access to restricted content; expiry set by the website operator

These cookies are set by the website operator's configuration, not by Amazon for its own purposes. They are functional cookies that serve the website's infrastructure needs.

CloudFront does not collect behavioral data, build user profiles, set advertising cookies, or participate in any ad network. Server access logs (if enabled by the website operator) record standard HTTP request metadata (IP, user agent, requested URL, timestamp) and are stored in the operator's own S3 bucket — Amazon does not use these logs for advertising or analytics.

Consent & Compliance

AWS CloudFront is classified as essential. It is foundational infrastructure that delivers the website itself. Without it, the website would either not load or load significantly slower for users outside the origin server's region.

Under the GDPR, CloudFront's data processing is limited to delivering content as instructed by the website operator. Amazon acts as a data processor under the AWS Data Processing Addendum. The cookies CloudFront sets (when present) serve infrastructure purposes and fall under legitimate interest or, more precisely, the website's technical necessity.

Under the ePrivacy Directive, CloudFront's cookies qualify for the strictly necessary exemption under Article 5(3). They are required for content delivery and access control — services the website operator has configured and that the user implicitly requests by loading the page. No consent is required.

Under CCPA/CPRA, CloudFront does not sell or share personal information. Amazon processes server request data solely for content delivery on behalf of the website operator. The relationship is governed by AWS's service terms, with Amazon acting as a service provider.

Should You Block This Without Consent?

No. AWS CloudFront is infrastructure that delivers the website's own content. Blocking it would break the website entirely — images would not load, scripts would fail, and pages may not render. It sets no tracking cookies and performs no behavioral profiling. It is one of the clearest cases of essential infrastructure in web technology.