Cookie Notice

This notice explains how cookies and similar technologies are used to manage and deliver online services and electronic communications. It also explains what these technologies are, why they are used, and how their use can be controlled.

Some of these technologies may collect personal data, or information that becomes personal data when combined with other information. For broader information about how personal data is handled, the related privacy notice remains the main reference point.

What Cookies and Tracking Technologies Are

Cookies are small files downloaded to a device to help websites and online services work properly and to help service providers understand how users interact with them. Similar technologies can include web beacons, pixels, embedded scripts, location-identifying technologies, and logging tools.

These technologies may be used across websites, mobile applications, emails, and other online services. Their role is broader than simple storage, because they can support service delivery, analytics, communication tracking, and personalisation.

How Cookies Are Used

Cookies are used together with partners and providers to understand how users interact with websites, mobile applications, email messages, and other online services. This helps improve user experience and gives a clearer picture of how the services are actually used.

The information collected automatically may include device and software details, browser type, pages viewed, time spent, approximate location based on IP address, and email interaction data where consent applies.

• Device and software details may be collected automatically.
• Usage patterns such as pages viewed and time spent may be measured.
• Email opens and clicks may be tracked where consent applies.
• Analytics tools may be used to identify trends and understand the user base.
• Location-related signals may be inferred from IP address.

Types of Cookies

Cookies are separated by purpose because not every cookie serves the same function or uses the same legal basis.

• Essential cookies support core functions such as security and navigation and are necessary for the website to work properly.
• Functional cookies remember choices such as language and region so the service can feel more consistent and personal.
• Performance cookies help measure visits and navigation patterns so the service can be improved.
• Targeting cookies track visits, pages viewed, and links followed so browsing behaviour can be understood more closely.

Sources and Duration

Cookies can also be separated by source and duration. That matters because it affects who places the cookie and how long it stays on the device.

• First-party cookies are created by the website itself and are used directly by the service.
• Third-party cookies are placed by external partners whose services are integrated into the website.
• Session cookies are temporary and are deleted when the browser is closed.
• Persistent cookies remain on the device for a defined period even after the browser session ends.

Why Cookies Are Used

Cookies are used for several practical reasons. They help improve browsing experience, support security, understand how services are used, and make content or advertising more relevant to user preferences.

They can also help remember language choice, browsing activity, browser type, device information, favourite products, and the route through which a user arrived at the site, including search engines or affiliate sources.

• Improve browsing experience and service performance.
• Help prevent fraud and abuse.
• Measure how services are used and where they can be improved.
• Remember user preferences and browsing context.
• Support more relevant content and advertising.

Managing Cookie Preferences

Cookie use can be controlled through several settings. Most browsers allow users to receive alerts when cookies are sent, remove stored cookies, or reject cookies automatically.

Mobile devices may also offer settings that limit ad tracking or ad personalisation. Email settings can also be adjusted to prevent automatic image downloads, which may reduce some forms of email tracking.

Disabling cookies may reduce the functionality of this and other websites. Cookie settings may also need to be changed separately on each browser and device, because one setting does not always apply everywhere at once.

Advertising and Analytics Choices

Analytics and advertising preferences may also be managed through browser tools, ad settings, and industry opt-out mechanisms. These controls do not always block every cookie on every device, but they can reduce interest-based advertising and some forms of tracking.

The main practical point is that cookie control depends on browser settings, device settings, and service configuration together rather than on one universal switch.

Contact About Cookies

Questions or complaints about cookies or this notice can be directed to the Data Protection Officer at [email protected].

The related privacy notice can be reviewed here: Privacy Notice.