Here, have a Cookie!
But now what? Well, the aim of this page is to provide you with some information about all the different types of computer cookies, their uses, some privacy and security concerns, how to manage (some of) them and give a short overview on the law surrounding the use of cookies. Hopefully, with a better understanding of what cookies are and what role they play when visiting websites, you'll feel more at ease and know what data you might leak or share by using our website, which uses (some) cookies. (We have more info on other technologies).
What is a Cookie?
Cookies are small text files or pieces of information that are stored on your computer or mobile device (such as a smartphone or tablet) when you visit websites, including ours. A cookie will usually contain the name of the website from which the cookie originated, the "lifetime" of the cookie (i.e. how long the cookie will remain on your device), and a value, which in turn either represents a setting, or (hopefully); a randomly generated unique string or one-way hash.
The legal bits
Any EU institution (e.g., person, organisation etc) must adequately inform users and obtain their consent before setting cookies and any other technology falling within the scope of Article 5(3) of the ePrivacy directive. By default, none of those cookies must be set. In case a website uses site-specific cookies, it requires a dedicated cookie notice page (it must not simply link to the general cookie notice page), listing all first- and third-party cookies with information on their purpose, type of data collected, stored or transmitted by cookies, data retention period, and their legal basis. The page must also provide means for consent management.
So what do we use Cookies for?
We use cookies primarily for session and authentication, security purposes. One such example is our 3rd-party's
__cfduid-cookie which is used to identify individual clients behind a shared IP address and apply security settings
on a per-client basis.
We use cookies to make our sites easier to use and to better tailor the sites and our products to your interests and needs. Cookies can do this because websites can read and write these files, enabling them to recognise you and remember important information that will make your use of a website more convenient (for example by remembering preference settings). These cookies are only created to store references to your profile (if you've created one), or temporary store information outside those of server-side sessions.
Cookies may also be used to help speed up your future activities and experience on our sites. We could also use cookies to compile anonymous, aggregated statistics that allow us to understand how users use our sites and to help us improve the structure and content of our sites, however by default we have not enabled such functionality. We do however, use 3rd-party social media plugins, clearly distinguished by their logo, which will make you leave our site, by opening a pop-up for which they will use theirs.
But how come I didn't get a cookie notice when visiting the site?
In short, we didn't need your consent(;yet). Now for the longer explanation... The ePrivacy law knows a few exemptions when it comes to cookies. In line with Article 5(3) of the ePrivacy Directive, consent is not required for technical storage or access of the following cookies:
- Cookies used for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication
- Cookies that are strictly necessary in order for the provider of an information society service explicitly required by the user to provide that service
It also specifies examples of cookies that generally do NOT require consent:
- User input cookies, for the duration of a session
- Authentication cookies, for the duration of a session
- User centric security cookies, used to detect authentication abuses and linked to the functionality explicitly requested by the user, for a limited persistent duration
- Multimedia content player session cookies, such as flash player cookies, for the duration of a session
- Load balancing session cookies, for the duration of session.
- User interface customisation cookies, for a browser session or a few hours, unless additional information in a prominent location is provided (e.g. "uses cookies" written next to the customisation feature
In general we only use user-profiles which you will have to sign-up for and actively login to the site. These profiles get enriched with additional information overtime. This information is never stored in cookies, nor shared with others, without prior explicit consent (and/or notice).
What types of cookies do we use?
Two types of cookies may be used on the sites, which are called "session cookies" and "persistent cookies". Session cookies are temporary cookies, stored in memory. A persistent cookie, is stored on disk, and remains on your device for much longer or until you manually delete it (how long the cookie remains on your device will depend on the duration or "lifetime" set for the specific cookie).
3rd-party Cookies
We also use a number of 3rd-party suppliers that may also set cookies on your device on our behalf when you visit our sites to allow them to deliver the services they are providing. If you would like more information about these cookies, as well as information about how to opt-out of receiving such cookies, please see their privacy policies.
What Cookies do we use?
Below we list the different types of cookies that may be used on our sites.
Technical Cookies
Technical or "essential" cookies are necessary for the site to work and enable you to move around it and to use its services and features. Without these absolutely necessary cookies, the site will not perform as smoothly for you as we would like it to and we may not be able to provide the site or certain services or features you request.
| Cookie type | Description | How to manage cookies |
|---|---|---|
| Session | Session cookies are used to maintain the state of the application. | Accept/refuse via browser setting |
| Load balancing | Load balancing cookies are used to distribute the assets across the globe and lighten the server load. | Accept/refuse via browser setting |
| User ID | User ID cookies are used to ensure that users only see their own information. | Accept/refuse via browser setting |
| Security | Security cookies are used for security controls and checks. | Accept/refuse via browser setting |
Preference Cookies
Preference cookies collect information about your choices and preferences, and allow us to remember language or other local settings and customize the site accordingly.
| Cookie type | Description | How to manage cookies |
|---|---|---|
| Language | Language cookies are used to store the language the user has selected, and to show the correct options. | Accept/refuse via browser setting |
Social Plug-in Tracking Cookies
Such cookies are used to track individuals of social media networks for market research analytics, and product development. By default, these cookies will be placed after leaving our sites and visiting explicit links marked with the respective brand.
| Cookie type | Description | How to manage cookies |
|---|---|---|
| Cookies are used to track Facebook users for market research analytics, and product development. | Accept/refuse via browser setting | |
| Cookies are used to track Twitter users for market research analytics, and product development. | Accept/refuse via browser setting |
Analytics Cookies
Analytics cookies collect information about your use of the site, and enable us to improve the way it works. For example, analytics cookies show us which are the most frequently visited pages on the site, help us record any difficulties you have with the site, and show us whether our advertising is effective or not. This allows us to see the overall patterns of usage on the site, rather than the usage of a single person. To activate these, you must create a profile and actively chose to participate in this.
By default, these cookies might be set by 3rd-parties when using video-playback of embedded media. We typically use Youtube for our media. We do not collect or store this information in site-specific cookies. However they will provide you with adverts.
| Cookie type | Description | How to manage cookies |
|---|---|---|
| Google analytics | Google analytics cookies collect aggregate statistical data to improve site presentation and navigation. Google supplements the aggregate data with demographics and interest information, so that we can better understand our visitors. | Software Solution More information |
Marketing Cookies
Advertising Cookies are used for marketing purposes.
| Cookie type | Description | How to manage cookies |
|---|---|---|
| Advertising | Deliver behavioral/targeted advertising | Accept/refuse via browser setting |
| Market analysis | Conduct market analysis | Accept/refuse via browser setting |
| Campaign / promotion | Measure effectiveness of campaign | Accept/refuse via browser setting |
| Fraud detection | Detect click fraud | Accept/refuse via browser setting |
How do I manage Cookies?
Please find browser/device specific instructions here
Although most internet browsers are initially set up to automatically accept cookies, most internet browsers allow you to change the settings to block cookies or to alert you when cookies are being sent to your device.
In addition to the options provided above, you may refuse, accept or remove cookies from the site at any time by activating or accessing the setting on your browser. Information about the procedure to follow in order to enable, disable or remove cookies can be found on your Internet browser provider’s website via your help screen.
Please be aware that if cookies are disabled or removed, not all features of the site may operate as intended, for example you may not be able to visit certain areas of our site or you may not receive personalised information when you visit the site. By default, all public pages, not requiring authentication, will work without an identity/profile.
If you use different devices to view and access the sites (e.g. your computer, smartphone, tablet etc) you will need to ensure that each browser on each device is adjusted to suit your cookie preferences. When you login, or continue visiting our site, we do sync your settings over-time.
Pixel Tags
Some of the pages you visit on the site may also collect information through the use of pixel tags (1x1 or hidden images) that may be shared with third parties which in-directly support our promotional activities and website development. For example, website usage information about visitors to our sites may be shared with our third party advertising agency to better target Internet banner advertisements on our websites. The information collected through the use of these pixel tags, might be personally identifiable, and could be linked to your personal information.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about this "Cookie Policy", please contact us.