Definition and function of cookies
A cookie is a file that is downloaded to your computer, tablet or smartphone when you access a particular website. Cookies allow a webpage to store and retrieve information about the browsing habits of a certain user and can be used to recognise the user’s activities in the future.
Use of cookies
The SÚMATE website uses “cookies” and other similar mechanisms (hereinafter, cookies) to personalise the user’s experience with the website, and make navigation easier for them. Cookies are just linked to anonymous users and their computers and do not provide references that may allow the deduction of any of their personal information. Users can configure their browsers to notify them when cookies are being sent, or refuse the setting of cookies from the websites visited. Users will still be able to access web content, but it may affect the operational quality of the website. Users who have registered or logged in may have access to more personalised services orientated to their profile because of the data stored in the cookies and the personal data from their registration. Users authorise the use of this information with the specified purpose, but have the right to refuse it at any time. SÚMATE uses the following cookies:
- Session cookies: temporary cookies on your browser cookie file that are erased when you leave the website, so they do not remain on that user’s device. The information gathered by these cookies is used to analyse website traffic patterns.
- Permanent cookies: cookies that are saved on the hard drive of the device and are read every time the user visits the website. Permanent cookies have an established expiration date and will be deactivated from that date. They are mainly used to streamline purchases and registrations.
- Performance cookies: cookies that remember user preferences for the tools included in the website services so that you do not have to reset the service each time you visit. These include:
- Video and audio player volume settings.
- Video transmission speeds compatible with the chosen browser.
- Saved products in ‘shopping carts’ on e-commerce sites.
- Geolocation cookies: cookies that are used to find out the country you are in when you ask for a service. This is an anonymous cookie that is only used to help guiding the content to your location.
- Log cookies: cookies that are generated to identify users when they have registered or logged in. Their aims are:
- To keep the user identified. If they close a service, the browser or the computer will be able to access that same service at another time or on another day without having to identify themselves again. If the user logs out, the cookie is deleted and the next time they visit, they will have to log in again.
- To check if the user is authorised to access certain services. Some websites may connect to social network sites such as Facebook or Twitter. If the user registers in a service with social network credentials, they authorise the social network to save a permanent cookie which remembers their identity and guarantees access to the service until it expires. The user may delete this cookie and disable access to the services through specific social networks in their user preferences.
- Analytical cookies: these cookies are generated each time a user visits a website by an external provider tool (Google Analytics, Yahoo Web Analytics, Urchin etc.). This cookie is generated during the visit, and will be used in the future to identify the visitor anonymously. The main objectives are:
- To allow anonymous identification of the users surfing through cookies (identifies browsers and devices, not people) and hence keeps count of the number of visitors and their trend over time.
- To anonymously identify the most visited content to users.
- To know whether the user accessing is a new or repeat visitor.
Important: cookies are never associated to any personal data, they are only used statistically to help optimise the usability of the website.
How to disable cookies from major browsers
It is possible to stop the browser accepting cookies, or to stop it accepting cookies from a particular service. The option to readjust the browser is usually found in “Settings”, “Options” or “Preferences” in the browser menu. The steps to configure each browser or choose the navigation in the main browsers are:
- Chrome: Settings > Show Advanced Settings > Privacy > Content Settings.
- Firefox: Tools > Options > Privacy > History > Use Custom Settings.
- Internet Explorer: Tools > Internet Options > Privacy > Settings.
- Safari: Preferences > Security.
Updates and changes in the cookies policy
Súmate may modify this Cookies Policy according to legislative or regulatory requirements, or in order to adapt the policy to the instructions dictated by the Spanish Data Protection Agency. Herefrom, it is recommendable to return to this page periodically. If you have any doubts, comments or suggestions, Súmate can be contacted via email: info@sumate.eu.
