Cookie Policy

Effective date: April 1, 2024

What are Cookies?

Cookies are files stored on users' computers when they browse websites. These files collect data to improve navigation, website performance, user preferences, and more.

Depending on the type of cookie sent by the site, different levels of sensitive data may be collected. This is why the Privacy Authority has intervened to protect user data, requiring website owners to inform users about the data collected during navigation and, in some cases, to allow users to choose whether to permit data collection.

Types of Cookies

Cookies are categorized as:

  • Temporary session cookies (also known as session cookies or temporary cookies): These cookies are stored temporarily on the computer and are deleted when the browser is closed. They are used to manage login sessions or temporary browsing sessions.
  • Persistent cookies (also known as persistent cookies): These remain on the user's computer until a set expiration date or until manually deleted. They collect browsing data and preferences and provide insights into user behavior.

Cookies also differ based on their source:

  • Third-party cookies: These are sent by external sites linked to the website being visited, such as Google Analytics.
Google Analytics (Google Inc.)

Google Analytics is a web analysis service provided by Google Inc. (“Google”). Google collects personal data to track and analyze website usage, generate reports, and share the data with other Google services.

Google may use collected data to personalize ads within its advertising network.
Collected data: Cookies and usage data.
Processing location: USA

Google Analytics (Google Inc.)

Google Analytics is a web analysis service provided by Google Inc. (“Google”). Google collects personal data to track and analyze website usage, generate reports, and share the data with other Google services.

Google may use collected data to personalize ads within its advertising network.
Collected data: Cookies and usage data.
Processing location: USA

Google Analytics with Anonymized IP (Google Inc.)

This integration anonymizes your IP address. The anonymization works by shortening users' IP addresses within EU member states or other countries participating in the European Economic Area agreement. In exceptional cases, the IP address is sent to Google's servers in the United States and then shortened there.

Collected data: Cookies and usage data.
Processing location: USA

Legal Requirements for Cookies

The legal obligations regarding cookies depend on the type of cookies used by the website.

  1. No cookies: Some basic websites, built purely in HTML, do not use cookies. Since no data is collected, no action is required.
  2. Technical or first-party analytics cookies: These cookies are used for login sessions or to collect non-sensitive data temporarily or permanently. In this case, the website must provide an extended privacy policy explaining the types of cookies used and how to disable them.
  3. Third-party analytics cookies (with anonymization and no data cross-referencing): Similar to the previous category, but the cookies come from third parties. If no sensitive data is collected and tools are used to limit data tracking, the same rules apply as for first-party analytics cookies. For example, using Google Analytics with anonymized IPs does not require additional consent.
  4. Third-party analytics cookies (without anonymization and data cross-referencing): If these cookies collect sensitive data (e.g., a full IP address), the website must provide an extended privacy policy, a short privacy notice (banner) with a link to the full policy, an acceptance button, and must notify the Privacy Authority.
  5. First-party profiling cookies: If the website uses profiling cookies, it must display a short privacy notice (banner), an extended privacy policy, and notify (paid) the Privacy Authority.
  6. Third-party profiling cookies: If profiling cookies are used but come from external websites, the website owner must inform users with a short and extended privacy policy. However, notifying the Privacy Authority is the responsibility of the third party.
Cookies Used by Therness

The Data Controller, Therness, uses the following types of cookies:

Functionality Cookies:

  • User session cookies

Third-party Cookies:

  • Google Analytics
Managing Cookies

Users can choose whether to accept or reject cookies by adjusting their browser settings.

How to disable cookies in major browsers:

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