What are cookies?
Also known as browser cookies or tracking cookies, cookies are small, often encrypted text files, located in browser directories. They are used by web developers to help users navigate their websites efficiently and perform certain functions. Due to their core role of enhancing/enabling usability or site processes, disabling cookies may prevent users from using certain websites. Cookies are created when a web browser loads a particular website. The website sends information to the browser which then creates a text file which is stored on the users’ device in the browser’s directory. Every time the user goes back to the same website, the browser retrieves and sends this file to the website’s server. Cookies are created not just by the website the user is browsing but also by other websites that run ads, widgets, or other elements on the page being loaded. These cookies regulate how the ads appear or how the widgets and other elements function on the page.
Can I opt-out?
Yes. You can opt out of cookies through by adjusting the cookie settings that are available to you on the Website or within certain Services, with the exception of those cookies that are necessary to provide you with the Website and/or such Services.
Your web browser may also allow you to manage your cookie preferences, including to delete and disable certain cookies from the Website and/or Services. You can take a look at the help section of your web browser to understand your options. If you choose to disable certain cookies, some features of the Website and/or of certain Services may not operate as intended.
CONSENT FOR COOKIES.
By law, we are obliged to inform you about the cookies on the Website and Services and obtain your consent before placing any cookie files that store information on your device (with the exception of strictly necessary cookies). We obtain your consent to place cookies on your device by you clicking the Accept and Close button on the notification banner, which is located at the top of each web page.
What types of cookies do we use?
Cookies are categorized into 4 types:
- Strictly necessary cookies. These are cookies that are required for the operation of the Website or certain Services. They include, for example, cookies that enable you to log into secure areas of the Website or use certain Services. Without these cookies, certain functionality cannot be provided.
- Performance cookies. These cookies collect information regarding use of the Website or certain Services, for example which web page you visit and if you get error messages from web pages. These cookies help us to improve the way the Website and certain Services work. These cookies don’t collect information that identifies uniquely a visitor. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. They are only used to improve how a website works. Please note that third parties (including, for example, providers of external services like web traffic analysis services) may have placed performance cookies on the Website or within certain Services.
- Functionality cookies. These cookies allow the Website and certain Services to remember choices you make (such as your user name, language or the region you are in) and provide enhanced, more personal features. These cookies can also be used to remember changes you have made to text size, fonts and other parts of web pages that you can customize. They may also be used to provide services you have asked for. The information these cookies collect may be anonymized and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites.
- Tracking cookies. These are cookies that collect information about your browsing habits in order to make advertising relevant to you and your interests. They are also used to limit the number of times you see an advertisement as well as help measure the effectiveness of the advertising campaigns. They remember that you have visited a website and this information is shared with other organizations such as advertisers.