Cookies
1. Definition, characteristics and official application
Cookies are small text files that websites send to and store on a user's computer or mobile device, and then send back to the same websites on subsequent visits. It is precisely because of cookies that a website remembers a user's actions and preferences (such as login details, language, font sizes, etc.) so that these parameters do not need to be reconfigured on each new visit. Cookies are therefore used for computer authentication, session monitoring, and storing information about the activities of users accessing a website. They may also contain a unique identification code that allows the website to track the user's navigation within the site itself for statistical or advertising purposes.
Some processes or functions of the portal could not be carried out or guaranteed without the use of cookies, which in some cases are therefore technically necessary for the functioning of the website itself.
Depending on their characteristics and functions, cookies can remain stored on the user's computer for different periods of time: We therefore have so-called session cookies, which are automatically deleted when the browser is closed, and so-called persistent cookies, which remain on the user's device until a predetermined expiry date or until possible manual deletion.
According to current regulations, explicit user consent is not always required to use cookies. In particular, so-called "technical cookies" do not usually require such consent; these are used solely to ensure the proper functioning of the website or to provide a service explicitly requested by the user.
In order to use cookies that are not strictly necessary for the portal to function properly, but are intended for collecting statistical data or creating profiles of the visitor in order to send advertising messages in line with the preferences expressed by the user while browsing the internet, user consent is normally required, in accordance with applicable regulations.
2. Cookie types
For the sake of completeness, the most important cookie types are listed below:
Technical cookies: those that are necessary for the operation of the website or that allow you to access the requested content and services;
Analytics cookies, on the other hand, are intended to provide the website manager with purely statistical data, such as the total number of visitors to the website and each of its pages for a given period. They can be treated as technical cookies if used directly by the website owner for optimization purposes. If, however, the processing of such statistical analyses is delegated to third parties, user data must be minimized beforehand and cannot be combined with other processing activities or transferred to further third parties.
Functionality cookies: These are used to activate specific website functions and a range of selected criteria (e.g., language) to improve the service provided;
Profiling cookies: These are used to profile the user based on their behavior on the website. They are primarily used to send the user advertising messages in line with their preferences expressed during internet use.
Social network cookies: These are cookies that allow users to share website content on social networks or activate the "Like" or "Follow" functions of social networks. These functions allow social networks to identify their users and collect information, even while they browse other websites.
3. Origin of the cookies
Cookies can also be distinguished based on their origin. We will therefore have:
First-party cookies (or proprietary cookies): These are created and used only by the website's web server and cannot be transferred to third parties. This type of cookie is typically used to personalize the browsing experience and automatically recognize a user who has previously visited the website. It is not readable on any domain other than the one on which it was created.
Third-party cookies are cookies created by domains other than the website the user is visiting. Third-party cookies are readable both on the domain where they were created and on any other website that can read the code of the server that created them. Third parties placing cookies on the website may act as independent data controllers to pursue their own purposes or as data processors for the website owner.
The cookies sent through this portal are listed in detail as follows:
Cookie settings
Choice and Opt-out: With the exception of cookies that are strictly necessary for the website to function properly and provide the requested services, users can prevent the installation of third-party cookies on the website by blocking one or more providers on the portal via the cookie settings tool (accessible via the following link). For third-party tracking tools that act as independent data controllers, users can manage settings and withdraw consent by visiting the relevant opt-out link (if available), using the tools described in the third party's privacy policy, or contacting them directly. The choices made regarding portal cookies are recorded in a specific cookie. This cookie may not function correctly under certain circumstances: In this case, the owner is advised to delete unwanted cookies and prevent their use through the functions of your browser.
Managing cookies via your browser: It is also possible to delete existing cookies and block the installation of new ones through browser settings. If users prefer to decide on a case-by-case basis whether to accept cookies or not, they can configure their browser to generate a warning each time a cookie is stored. Most browsers offer the option to block only third-party cookies and accept only those from the website itself. For more information on setting cookie preferences via your browser, please refer to the relevant instructions.
Finally, please note that disabling or deleting technical and/or functional cookies may make the portal inaccessible, or some services or certain portal functions may be unavailable or not work properly, and it may be necessary to manually change or enter some information or preferences on each visit.