1. What is a cookie?
A cookie is a small text file (typically a string of information made up of letters and numbers) that is transmitted by a website and stored on your Internet browser of your electronic device (i.e. computer, smartphone or other device) when an online service is viewed. The vast majority of websites use cookies. A cookie enables its issuer to identify the device on which it is stored for the duration of its validity, as well to recognise the device on each subsequent visit to originating website. Any method of storage, such as local storage, session storage, or any other local browser database, used by a Browser to storage, is considered as a “cookie” within the meaning of this definition.
2. Why do we use cookies?
We use cookies on our Platforms for the following purposes:
make our Platforms work properly for you and enable you to make use of the secure online services that we provide (e.g., identifying you on e-banking, form filling), as well as enable you to set and record your privacy preferences (e.g. allowing/refusing some categories of cookies);
improve your user experience by allowing us to set and adapt our Platforms presentation to your device and user preferences (e.g., display resolution, operating system, preferred language) and the provision of multi-media contents accessible via our platforms (for example, hosting online videos);
establish statistics and volumes of frequentation and use of the various elements composing our Platforms (e.g., sections and contents visited, source, last time any digital content was accessed), thus enabling us to improve the interest and ergonomics of our services / Platforms;
design, perform, spread out our marketing events or advertising campaigns published on the web or dedicated social network channels and services, and follow their attractiveness.
3. What cookies do we use?
To achieve the purposes mentioned above, we use so-called Session cookies that are automatically deleted when you close your browser or Persistent cookies that remain stored in your device for a defined duration (e.g., minutes, days or months).
These cookies are placed on your device either by us, so-called First party cookies, or by third parties, so-called Third party cookies, whose services we use as part of our Platforms.
To help you make informed choices about the information you provide to us and to third parties when you accept or refuse the use of cookies on our Platforms via the “Privacy Preferences Center” pop-up window, we explain, hereafter, the 4 categories of cookies we use:
A. Strictly necessary cookies
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems as they enable basic features like page navigation and access to secure area. They are only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies with the drawback that certain features of the Platforms may not function properly without the help of cookies. These cookies do not process any personal data.
B. Functional cookies
These cookies enable our Platforms to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you choose to disable these cookies, certain features and services may not function as intended.
C. Performance cookies
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our sites. They help us know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around our Platforms. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. Disable these cookies if you prefer that we do not track your visit.
Furthermore, all IP addresses are anonymised in our analytical data by removing the second half part of such IP addresses (e.g. 192.168.xxx.xxx).
We respect users’ preferences and will not track visitors who have configured their web browsers and chosen to activate the “Do No Track” parameter option. For more information about “Do Not Track”, please visit https://www.eff.org/issues/do-not-track.
D. Marketing cookies
These cookies may be set by our advertising partners through our Platforms. They help build a profile of your interests based on your browsing behavior, allowing for more relevant advertising on other websites. They process and store unique identifiers linked to your browser and device. If you choose to disable these cookies, you will still see ads, but they may be less relevant to your interests.
The cookies’ categories we use on our Platforms can be set and/or adapted at any time according to your privacy preferences by clicking on the following link: