Background
The Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 (the Regulations) cover the use of cookies and similar technologies for storing information, and accessing information stored, on a user's equipment such as their computer or mobile. Recent legislation means that all websites need to disclose any information that a website stores in cookies and obtain consent by the user where cookies are used.
This is because cookies can potentially be used to store personal information or to monitor a user's activities online.
What are cookies?
A cookie is a small file, typically of letter and numbers, downloaded on to a device when the user accesses certain websites. Cookies are then sent back to originating website on each subsequent visit. Cookies are useful because they allow a website to recognise a user's device. The Regulations apply to cookies and also to similar technologies for storing information. This could include, for example, Local Shared Objects.
The use of cookies and similar technologies has for some time been commonplace and cookies in particular are important in the provision of many online services. Using such technologies is not, therefore, prohibited by the Regulations but they do require that people are told about cookies and given the choice as to which of their online activities are monitored in this way. This Policy explains how our websites use cookies.
For more information see: http://www.allaboutcookies.org/
What are the different types of cookies?
- Session cookies - allow websites to link the actions of a user during a browser session. They may be used for a variety of purposes such as remembering what a user has put in their shopping basket as they browse around a site. They could also be used for security when a user is accessing internet banking or to facilitate use of webmail. These session cookies expire after a browser session so would not be stored longer term. For this reason session cookies may sometimes be considered less privacy intrusive than persistent cookies.
- First and third party cookies - whether a cookie is 'first' or 'third' party refers to the website or domain placing the cookie. First party cookies in basic terms are cookies set by a website visited by the user - the website displayed in the URL window. Third party cookies are cookies that are set by a domain other than the one being visited by the user. If a user visits a website and a separate company sets a cookie through that website this would be a third party cookie.
- Persistent cookies - are stored on a users' device in between browser sessions which allows the preferences or actions of the user across a site (or in some cases across different websites) to be remembered. Persistent cookies may be used for a variety of purposes including remembering users' preferences and choices when using a site or to target advertising.
Cookies used by our websites
- Do not store any personally identifiable information about you or information such as passwords.
- Do not allow us to access other information stored on your computer.
- Do not store any information about you that others could understand, or in any way compromise your security.
- Do allow us to provide a service whereby people can access their account, place a deal or open a new account, securely.
How does our website use cookies?
We only use session cookies which are essential in providing specific services you have requested from us. Session cookies are stored on your computer and remain available for the duration of your visit to our websites. When you close your browser, any session cookies that have been set will be automatically removed from your computer’s memory.
This type of cookie is essential to the running of the site as it allows us to maintain your session on the website, after you have logged in. In order to avoid requiring users to login repeatedly to access different parts of the website, we use session cookies to securely identify users. In order to maximise the security of our services, this type of cookie also allows our websites to automatically log you off after 10 minutes of inactivity.