We use “cookies” and other technologies when you use our website. Here you can find out more about cookies and similar technologies and how to control them. Our Privacy policy can also be accessed here.
General information on cookies can be found here: http://www.allaboutcookies.org/
Your consent
By using our website you accept the use of cookies in accordance with this cookie policy. If you do not accept the use of cookies, please disable them as explained below or in any other notice provided to you when you visit our website.
Can I withdraw my agreement to the use of cookies and similar technologies?
If you wish to withdraw your agreement to accept cookies and similar technologies, please delete the cookies via your browser settings. There is a brief guide below in this policy and you can find further information on deleting and blocking cookies here (English): http://www.aboutcookies.org/how-to-delete-cookies/
Some of the similar technologies we use, such as JavaScript can also be disabled on your devices but this may significantly impact the ability for our website to work on your devices.
What are cookies and similar technologies?
Cookies are small data files that are placed on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. Cookies are widely used by website and mobile application owners in order to make their websites and apps work, or to work more efficiently, as well as to provide reporting information. We use cookies to do lots of different jobs, like letting you navigate between pages efficiently, remembering your preferences and generally improving your browsing experience. We also use them to help ensure that any ads you see on our sites and those of others are more relevant to you and your interests.
We also use similar technologies such as ‘pixel tags’ and ‘JavaScript’ to undertake these tasks. Pixel tags and JavaScript are tiny graphics files that contain a unique identifier that enable us to recognise when someone has visited our Websites [or opened an e-mail that we have sent them]. This allows us, for example, [to monitor the traffic patterns of users from one page within our Websites to another, to deliver or communicate with cookies, to understand whether you have come to our Websites from an online advertisement displayed on a third-party website, to improve site performance, and to measure the success of e-mail marketing campaigns].
If you visit our website, mobile site, or use our mobile apps, we will deploy cookies and similar technologies to provide an online service more suited to the device you connect from, as well as to prevent and detect fraud, to help keep you secure. When you visit our website from any device (e.g. mobile device or PC), we collect information about your use of this site, such as information about the device or browser you use to access the site (including device type, operating system, screen resolution, etc.), the way you interact with this site, and the IP address your device connects from. In many instances, these technologies are reliant on cookies to function properly, and so declining cookies will impair their functioning, e.g. you may not be able to initiate or complete some activities within our secure online services unless these cookies or similar technologies are installed. Additionally, please note, we may not be able to process certain transactions if you are physically located in certain countries.
Cookies set by the website/app owner are called “first party cookies”. Cookies set by parties other than the website/app owner are called “third party cookies”. Third party cookies enable third party features or functionality to be provided on or through the website/app (e.g. like advertising, interactive content and analytics). The parties that set these third party cookies can recognise your computer both when it visits the website in question and also when it visits certain other websites.
Our Websites may also use so-called “Flash Cookies” (also known as Local Shared Objects or “LSOs”) to, among other things, collect and store information about your use of our services, fraud prevention and detection and for other site operations.
If you do not want Flash Cookies stored on your computer, you can adjust the settings of your Flash player to block Flash Cookies storage using the tools contained in the Website Storage Settings Panel. You can also control Flash Cookies by going to the Global Storage Settings Panel and following the instructions (which may include instructions that explain, for example, how to delete existing Flash Cookies (referred to “information” on the Macromedia site), how to prevent Flash LSOs from being placed on your computer without your being asked, and (for Flash Player 8 and later) how to block Flash Cookies that are not being delivered by the operator of the page you are on at the time).
Please note that setting the Flash Player to restrict or limit acceptance of Flash Cookies may reduce or impede the functionality of some Flash applications, including, potentially, Flash applications used in connection with our services or online content.]
Is there more than one type of cookie deployed?
There are different types of cookies which are usually split into the following categories, but note that not all these types will be used on every website you visit and some cookies fit into multiple categories:
‘strictly necessary’ / required cookies
These cookies are essential in order to enable you to move around the website and use its features, such as accessing secure areas of the website. Without these cookies, services you have asked for, like shopping baskets or e-billing, cannot be provided. These cookies are activated when you visit our website and remain active for the duration of your visit. So, basically, these cookies enable services you have specifically asked to use.
‘performance’cookies
These cookies collect information about how visitors use a website. For instance, which pages visitors go to most often and if they get error messages from web pages. This data in aggregate form is used to improve our websites and apps. This data is also used to identify whether customers may have specific interests needs based on pages they have visited within our websites/apps. So, basically, these cookies collect information on the website pages you visited and help us provide you with a better service.
‘functionality’cookies
These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make (such as your user name, language or the region you are in) and provide enhanced, more personal features. For instance, a website may be able to provide you with local weather reports or traffic news by storing in a cookie the region in which you are currently located. 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 customise. They may also be used to provide services you have asked for such as watching a video or commenting on a blog. The information these cookies collect may be anonymised and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites. So, basically, these cookies remember choices you make to improve your user experience.
‘targeting’cookies
These cookies are used to deliver adverts more 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 advertising campaigns. They are usually placed by advertising networks with the website operator’s permission. They remember that you have visited a website and this information is shared with other organisations such as advertisers. Quite often targeting or advertising cookies will be linked to site functionality provided by the other organisation. So, basically, these cookies collect information about your browsing habits in order to make advertising relevant to you and your interests.
‘compliance’ cookies
These cookies are required for us to be able to meet our legal and regulatory requirements, for example, anti-money laundering and fraud prevention. They also prevent your account from being misused by others. These cookies are activated when you visit our website and remain active for the duration of your visit.
‘Third party’ cookies
These cookies are added to our website by a third party such as YouTube or Twitter, where there is embedded third-party content. We have absolutely no control over these cookies. If you would like to find out more about the types of cookies which may be downloaded as a result, please visit the website of the third-party provider to do so.
‘Third party’ cookies providing information
These cookies such as from Facebook or Google, collect information on the pages you visit within our website. The information collected helps us understand our customers better. It also allows us to serve advertising directed at specific target groups.
Cookies in Emails
We use cookies and similar technology in some of our emails which contain hyperlinks, each of which has a unique tag. They help us to understand a little bit about how you interact with our emails, and are used to improve our future email communications to you. If you click on links contained in this email it will allow us to track your use of our website and enable us to show content and offers of most interest to you.
If you do not wish to accept cookies from any one of our emails, simply close the email before downloading any images or clicking on any links. You can also set your browser to restrict cookies or to reject them entirely. These settings will apply to all cookies whether included on websites or in emails.
If you have configured your computer to automatically display images, or if you have added us to your email “address book” (or “safe senders” list), or if you have configured your computer to have “weak” security, cookies might be set at the same time as you download, open or read an email from us. If you would prefer for this not to happen, you should disable the automatic displaying of images, or remove us from your address book or strengthen your security settings.
How to control and delete cookies through your browser
The ability to disable or delete cookies can also be carried out by changing your browser’s settings. In order to do this, follow the instructions provided by your browser (usually found in the ‘Help’, ‘Edit’ or ‘Tools’ facility). Some pages may not work if you completely disable all cookies, but many third party cookies can be safely blocked. If you do switch off cookies at a browser level, your device won’t be able to accept cookies from any website. This means you will struggle to access the secure area of any website you use and you won’t enjoy the best browsing experience when you are online.
