Cookie info

Cookies and how we use them

This policy details how we use cookies and cookie-like files and technologies on its websites, e.g. Local Shared Objects, also known as “Flash cookies”, web beacons etc. We refer to these generically as “cookies”. If you visit our websites and your browser settings accept cookies, we consider this as acceptance of our use of cookies.

What are cookies and how do they work?

Why do we use cookies?

We use cookies to offer you a smoother experience. View your options for managing cookies in the next chapter.

Basic functions

These cookies are essential for running our web sites and are the key to providing you a seamless experience.

You can navigate uninterrupted e.g. by remembering language and country choices you’ve made and by preserving authentication to secure parts of the domain. These cookies also remember products of interest when you are redirected to an Operator site for a possible purchase.

Site improvement

These cookies enable us to improve our websites by looking at how they are used.

We do analytical profiling to understand e.g. unique users reading a particular article (to know what is popular) or if a video file was viewed or abandoned half way through. We also look at where content is accessed so we know how to arrange our sites for optimal user experience. We count clicks on “Like” and “Tweet” plugins and what content from our sites was shared or referenced.

Personalization

These cookies help make the content as personalized as possible, for example by showing you targeted banners and relevant recommendations.

We examine what type of reference was used to reach our sites, e.g. an email campaign or a link from a referral site, so we can estimate the effectiveness of our promotions and advertising campaigns.

Advertising

Our domains may include elements that set cookies on behalf of a third party, e.g. a “Like”-button from Facebook or a “Tweet”-button from Twitter.

How can I manage cookies?

Disabling cookies may prevent you from using certain parts of the website. If you delete your cookies from the browser, you may need to remember to re-install opt-out cookies.

How long do we keep the information?

It depends based on the type of cookies. Session cookies expire when you close the browser. Persistent cookies, including Local Shared Objects (“Flash cookies”), have typical expiration dates ranging from two months up to a couple of years.