Definitions, characteristics and applications
Cookies are small text files that the websites visited by the user send and record on his/her computer or mobile device, to be then retransmitted to the same websites on the next visit. The use of cookies allows a website to remember user preferences (for example, the chosen language, font sizes, etc.) so that they do not have to be indicated again when the user returns to visit said website or browses from one page to the next. Cookies, therefore, are used to perform computer authentication, session monitoring and information storage regarding the activities of users accessing a website and may also contain a unique identification code that facilitates keeping track of the user’s navigation within the website itself for statistical or advertising purposes.
While browsing a website, the user can also receive cookies on the computer from websites or web servers other than the one he/she is visiting (so-called “third-party” cookies). Some operations could not be carried out without the use of cookies, which in certain cases are therefore technically necessary for the website’s operation itself.
There are various types of cookies, depending on their characteristics and functions, and these can remain on the user’s computer for different periods of time: the so-called session cookies, which are automatically deleted when the browser is closed; the so-called persistent cookies, which remain on the user’s device until a pre-established expiry date.
According to the legislation in force in Italy, the user’s express consent is not always required for the use of cookies.
In particular, “technical cookies”, i.e. those used for the sole purpose of transmitting a communication on an electronic communications network, or to the extent strictly necessary to provide a service explicitly requested by the user, do not require this consent. In other words, these are cookies which are indispensable for the correct operation of the website or necessary to perform activities requested by the user.
Among the technical cookies which do not require express consent for their use, the Italian Data Protection Authority (see the Provision: “Identification of simplified procedures for the information and the acquisition of consent for the use of cookies” dated 8 May 2014 and subsequent clarifications, hereinafter also referred to as “Provision”) includes:
Analytics cookies when used directly by the website operator in order to collect information in aggregated form of the number of users and of how the website itself is visited,
navigation or session cookies (to log in),
Functional cookies, which allow the user to browse according to a set of selected criteria (for example, language, products selected for purchase) in order to improve the service provided.
On the other hand, for “profiling cookies”, i.e. those aimed at creating user profiles and used in order to send targeted advertising messages in line with the preferences shown by the user whilst web browsing, the user must give their consent beforehand.
Types of cookies used in this Website and possibility of (de-) selecting them
The Website uses the following cookies which can be de-selected, except for third-party cookies for which it is necessary to refer directly to their relative cookie selection and de-selection methods, detailed below with the pertinent link:
Technical navigation or session cookies, strictly necessary for operating the Website or to allow you to exploit the contents and services requested.
Functional cookies, that is, used to activate specific Website features and a series of selected criteria (for example, the language) in order to improve the service rendered.
WARNING: by disabling technical and/or functional cookies, the Website may not be available for consultation or some services or certain functions of the Website may be unavailable or not work properly and you may be forced to modify or manually enter some information or preferences each time you visit the Website.
Third-party cookies, i.e. cookies from websites or web servers other than that of the Data Controller used for the purposes of these third parties. It should be noted that these third parties, listed with the related links to the privacy policies, are typically independent controllers of the processing of the data collected through the cookies they use; therefore, it is necessary to refer to their personal data processing policies, information and consent forms (selection and de-selection of the respective cookies), as specified in the aforementioned Provision. For completeness, it is also specified that the Data Controller does its best to be able to track the cookies linked to its own Website. These are updated regularly in the website information note, where we provide transparent information about the cookies sent directly by the Data Controller and about their purposes. As regards third parties who send cookies through our website, we provide links to their respective privacy policies: as already specified, we consider these third parties responsible for providing the information and collecting your consent, as required by the Provision. Said responsibility must refer not only to the cookies that third parties send directly, but also to any additional type of cookie transmitted through our Website by virtue of the services that these third parties enjoy. As regards these cookies, in fact, sent by the service providers of the aforementioned third parties, the Data Controller has no possibility of exercising any control and does not know their characteristics or purposes.
Cookie settings
The user has the ability to block (in whole or in part) technical and functional cookies through the specific functions of his/her browser. However, we wish to inform you that by not authorising technical cookies it may impossible to use the Website, view its contents and take advantage of the related services. Should you disable the functional cookies, some services or certain functions of the Website would be unavailable or not function properly and you may be forced to modify or manually enter some information or preferences each time you visit the Website.
The choices made as regards the Website’s cookies will in turn be recorded in a specific cookie. However, in some circumstances this cookie might not work correctly: in such cases, we advise you to delete unwanted cookies and to disable their use also through the browser functions.
Your preferences regarding cookies will have to be reset should you use different devices or browsers to access the Website.
How to view and modify cookies through the browser
You can authorise, block or delete (in whole or in part) cookies through the specific functions of your browser. For more information on how to set preferences on the use of cookies through the browser, you can consult the relevant instructions: