1. What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files that websites visited by users send to their devices, where they are stored and then sent back to those same websites on the next visit. So-called “third-party” cookies, on the other hand, are set by a website other than the one the user is visiting. This is because every website may contain elements (images, maps, sounds, specific links to web pages on other domains, etc.) that reside on servers other than that of the website being visited.
2. What are cookies used for?
Cookies are used for various purposes: performing digital authentication, monitoring sessions, storing information on specific configurations relating to users accessing the server, storing preferences, etc.
3. What are “technical” cookies?
These are cookies used to enable browsing or to provide a service requested by the user. They are not used for any other purpose and are normally installed directly by the website owner.
Without the use of such cookies, certain operations could not be carried out or would be more complex and/or less secure, such as online banking activities (viewing account statements, making bank transfers, paying bills, etc.), for which cookies—which enable user identification to be established and maintained during the session—are essential.
4. Are analytics cookies “technical” cookies?
No. The Data Protection Authority (see provision of 8 May 2014) has specified that they may be treated as technical cookies only if used for the purpose of optimising the website directly by the website owner, who may collect information in aggregate form on the number of users and how they visit the site. Under these conditions, the same rules regarding information and consent apply to analytics cookies as those laid down for technical cookies.
5. What are “profiling” cookies?
These are cookies used to track the user’s browsing activity online and create profiles of their tastes, habits, choices, etc. These cookies can be used to send advertising messages to the user’s device that are tailored to the preferences the user has already expressed whilst browsing online.
6. Is the user’s consent required to install cookies on their device?
It depends on the purposes for which the cookies are used and, therefore, whether they are “technical” or “profiling” cookies.
No user consent is required for the installation of technical cookies, although information must be provided (Article 13 of the Privacy Code). Profiling cookies, on the other hand, may only be installed on the user’s device if the user has given their consent after being informed in a simplified manner.
The types of cookies we use
Essential cookies
These cookies are essential to allow you to navigate the entire site and make full use of its features, such as accessing the various secure areas of the site. Without these cookies, certain necessary services, such as filling in a form for a competition, cannot be used.
Analytical cookies
These cookies collect information on how users use a website, for example, which pages are most visited, or whether error messages are received from web pages. These cookies do not collect information that identifies a visitor. All information collected via cookies is aggregated and therefore anonymous. They are used solely to improve the functioning of a website.
You can prevent Google from collecting a cookie generated as a result of and linked to your use of this website (including your IP address) and from processing such data by downloading and installing this browser plugin: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
Functionality cookies
Cookies allow the site to remember choices you have made (such as your name, language or region) and provide advanced personalised features. These cookies may also be used to remember changes you have made to text size, fonts and other parts of web pages that can be customised. They may also be used to provide services you have requested, such as watching a video or commenting on a blog. The information collected by these types of cookies may be anonymised and cannot track your browsing activity on other websites.
By using our site, you agree that these cookies may be placed on your device.
How to block cookies
You may choose to prevent this website from aggregating and analyzing the actions you take here. Doing so will protect your privacy, but will also prevent the owner from learning from your actions and creating a better experience for you and other users.
Via browser
Internet Explorer
- Click on the gear icon in the top right-hand corner of the browser
- Select “Internet Options”, then click on the “Privacy” tab and then the “Advanced” button
- Tick the box next to “Override automatic cookie handling” and select “Block” under both “Website cookies” and “Third-party cookies” to disable the respective cookies
- Then click “OK”
NB. To allow cookies only from specific sites, click the “Sites” button, enter the URL of the desired site and click “Allow”.
To enable the “Do Not Track” feature, click on the gear icon in the top right-hand corner, select “Security” > “Enable Do Not Track requests” from the menu that appears, and click the “Enable” button in the window that opens.
Google Chrome
- Click on the menu icon in the top right-hand corner of the browser
- Select “Settings”, then click on “Show advanced settings” and then on the “Content settings” button
- Tick the box next to “Prevent sites from setting data” and/or next to “Block third-party cookies and site data”
- Then click “Done”
NB. To allow cookies only from specific sites, click the “Manage exceptions” button, enter the URL of the desired site, click “Allow” and then “Done”.
To enable the “Do Not Track” feature, go back to the “Settings” > “Show advanced settings” menu in Chrome and tick the box next to “Send a ‘Do Not Track’ request with your browsing traffic”.
Firefox
- Click on the menu icon in the top right-hand corner of the browser
- Select “Options”, then click on the “Privacy” tab
- In the “History settings” drop-down menu, select “Use custom settings” and uncheck the “Accept cookies from sites” option. If, on the other hand, you wish to block cookies only for third-party sites, set the “Accept third-party cookies” drop-down menu to “Never”.
NB. To enable the “Do Not Track” feature, go back to the “Options” > “Privacy” menu in Firefox and tick the box next to “Ask sites not to track you”.
Safari
- Select “Preferences” from the Safari menu in the top-left corner of the browser
- Select “Privacy”, then tick “Always block”
- Alternatively, if you wish to allow cookies on a single website: visit that website, return to your browser’s privacy settings and tick the box next to “Allow only from this website”.
NB. To enable the “Do Not Track” feature, go back to the “Safari menu” > “Preferences” > “Privacy” and tick the box next to “Ask websites not to track me.”
Blocking cookies on Android mobile devices
- Chrome
- Click the “Menu” button in the top right-hand corner of the browser
- Select “Settings”, then click on “Content settings” and uncheck “Accept cookies
NB. To enable the “Do Not Track” feature, go to “Settings” > “Privacy”, click on the “Do Not Track” button and switch the toggle at the top right to ON.
- Firefox
- Click the “Menu” button in the top right-hand corner of the browser
- Select “Settings”, then click “Cookies” and tick “Disabled” if you wish to disable them completely, or “Enabled, except third-party” if you wish to disable cookies only for third-party sites.
NB. To enable the “Do Not Track” feature, click on “Tracking” instead and select the option “Ask websites not to track me” from the pop-up window.
Blocking cookies on Apple mobile devices
- Select “Settings” from the iOS menu on the home screen
- Select the Safari icon from the menu that opens
- Under “Block Cookies”, tick the “Always Block” option to disable cookies completely.
NB. To enable the “Do Not Track” feature, go back to the “Settings” menu > “Safari” and set the toggle for “Do Not Track” to “ON”.