What are cookies?
The term "cookies" should be understood as IT data, in particular text files, stored on users' devices for the use of the websites. These files allow to recognise the user's device and to properly display a website tailored to their individual preferences. "Cookies" usually contain the name of the website from which they originate, the time they are stored on the user's device and a unique number.
What do we use cookies for?
Cookies are used to adjust the content of websites to the user's preferences and to optimise the use of the websites. They are also used to produce anonymous, aggregated statistics that help to understand how the user uses the websites so as to improve their structure and content, excluding personal identification of the user.
What kind of cookies do we use?
As a rule, two types of "cookies" are used - "session" and "persistent". The former are temporary files that remain on your device until you log out of the website or turn off the software (web browser). "Persistent" files remain on the user's device for the time specified in the parameters of "cookies" or until they are manually deleted by the user. The "cookies" used by the partners of the website operator, in particular the website users, are subject to their own privacy policy.
Cookies can be distinguished by their detailed division into:
1. Types of cookies due to the necessity to provide the service
- Necessary - absolutely necessary for the proper functioning of the site or the functionality that the user wants to use.
- Functional - they are important for the operation of the website: they serve to enrich the functionality of the website, without them the website will work properly, but will not be adjusted to the user's preferences; they serve to ensure a high level of the website's functionality, without the settings saved in the cookie file, the level of the website's functionality may decrease, but should not prevent its full use; they serve very important functionalities of the website, their blocking will result in the selected functions not working properly.
- Business - enable the implementation of the business model based on which the website is made available, their blocking will not result in the unavailability of the entire functionality of the website, but may reduce the level of service provision due to the inability of the website owner to realise revenues subsidising the operation of the website. This category includes, for example, advertising cookies.
2. Due to the length of time for which the cookie will be placed on the user's device
- Temporary cookies (session cookies) - cookies placed during the time of using the browser (session), are deleted when the browser is closed.
- Persistent Cookies - is not deleted after closing the browser and remains on the user's device for a certain period of time or without a period of validity depending on the website owner's settings.
3. Due to the origin - the service administrator who manages Cookies
- First party cookie - a cookie placed directly by the owner of the website which has been visited.
- Third-party cookie - cookies placed by external entities whose websites' components have been called by the website's owner.
4. Due to their purpose
- Website configurations - enable the setting of functions and services in the website.
- Security and reliability of the website - they enable verification of authenticity and optimisation of the website's performance.
- Authentication - provide information on when the user is logged in, so that the website can display the relevant information and functions.
- Session status - allow for saving information on how users use the site. These may include the most frequently visited pages or possible error messages displayed on some pages. Cookies used to store the so-called "session status" help to improve services and increase the comfort of browsing.
- Processes - enable the website itself and the functions available on it to operate efficiently.
- Advertisements - enable the display of ads that are more interesting for users and at the same time more valuable for publishers and advertisers, personalise ads, can also be used to display ads outside the site (domain).
- Location - allows to adjust the displayed information to the user's location.
- Analyses and studies, viewing activity audit - enable website owners to better understand their users' preferences and, through analysis, improve and develop products and services. Usually the website's owner or research company collects information anonymously and processes trend data without identifying individual users' personal data.
5. Types of cookies due to interference with the user's privacy
- Non-harmful - necessary for the proper functioning of the website; necessary to enable the functionality of the website, but their operation has nothing to do with tracking the user.
- Tracking - used to track users, however, does not include information that identifies a particular user.
Do cookies contain personal data?
Personal data collected by means of "cookies" may only be collected for the purpose of performing specific functions for the user. Such data is encrypted in such a way as to prevent unauthorised access.
Removal of "cookies" files
The software used to browse the web pages by default allows the placement of "cookies" on the user's device. These settings can be changed in such a way as to block the automatic handling of "cookies" in the settings of the web browser or to inform the user each time they are sent to their device. Detailed information about the possibilities and ways of handling "cookies" are available in the settings of the software (web browser). Limiting the use of cookies may affect some of the functionalities available on the website.