Cookie Policy

1. INTRODUCTION

Cookies are small text files that websites visited by users send to their devices, where they are stored and then transmitted back to the same sites during subsequent visits. “Third-party” cookies, on the other hand, are set by a website different from the one the user is currently visiting. This is because websites may contain elements (such as images, maps, sounds, specific links to web pages from other domains, etc.) that reside on servers different from the visited site’s server. Cookies are used for various purposes, such as computer authentication, session monitoring, storing information about specific configurations related to users accessing the server, storing preferences, and more.

Cookies have been recognized on a technical/legal level as two different types: “technical” and “profiling” cookies. The former are cookies used to facilitate navigation or provide a service requested by the user. They are not used for any additional purposes and are typically installed directly by the website owner. Without these cookies, certain operations may not be possible or could be more complex and/or less secure. For example, online banking activities (such as viewing account statements, making transfers, paying bills, etc.) rely on cookies that allow for user identification and session maintenance, making them indispensable.

When cookies are used to track the user’s browsing activity and create profiles based on their expressed preferences, tastes, habits, choices, etc., they are referred to as “profiling cookies.” Through the use of these cookies, advertising messages aligned with the user’s previously expressed preferences during online navigation can be transmitted to the user’s device.

For the installation of technical cookies, user consent is not required since they are essential for the technical execution of internet navigation. However, it is still necessary to display the information notice (according to Article 13 of EU Regulation 679/2016).

On the other hand, profiling cookies can only be installed on the user’s device if they have given their consent after being informed through simplified methods. In particular, it is mandatory (as per the Italian Data Protection Authority’s Provision 229 of 2014) to present a brief information notice in a properly sized banner, which also includes the option to give consent for different types of cookies, along with a link to the complete information notice that can be downloaded by the user.

 

2. TYPES OF COOKIES WE USE

2.1 ESSENTIAL COOKIES

These cookies are essential in order to navigate the website and utilize its features fully. For example, they allow access to various protected areas of the site. Without these cookies, certain necessary services, such as filling out a form for a contest, cannot be provided.

2.2 PERFORMANCE COOKIES

These cookies collect information about how users use a website, such as which pages are most visited or if they receive error messages from web pages. These cookies do not collect information that identifies a visitor. All information collected through cookies is aggregated and therefore anonymous. They are only used to improve the functioning of a website. By using our site, the user agrees that such cookies may be installed on their device. The performance cookies used on our site are the Google Analytics cookies: _ga and _gat. _ga: Expires after 2 years. Used to distinguish unique users by assigning them a randomly generated client identifier. It is included in every page request on a site and used to calculate visitor, session, and campaign data for site analytics reports. _gat: Expires after 10 minutes. Used to speed up page load times by limiting the collection of data on high-traffic sites. You can prevent Google from detecting a cookie generated in relation to your use of this website (including your IP address) and the processing of such data by downloading and installing this browser plugin: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout

2.3 FUNCTIONALITY COOKIES

These cookies allow the website to remember choices made by the user (such as name, language, or region of origin) and provide personalized advanced features. These cookies can also be used to remember changes made to text size, fonts, and other parts of web pages that can be customized. They can also be used to provide services that you have requested, such as watching a video or commenting on a blog. The information collected by these types of cookies can be made anonymous and unable to monitor your browsing activity on other websites. By using our site, the user agrees that such cookies may be installed on their device.

3. HOW TO BLOCK COOKIES

a. Internet Explorer

• Click on the gear icon in the top right corner of the browser.
• Select “Internet Options,” then click on the “Privacy” tab and then the “Advanced” button.
• Check the box next to “Override automatic cookie handling” and select “Block” under both “First-party Cookies” and “Third-party Cookies” to disable the respective cookies.
• Click “OK”.

 

To allow cookies only from specific sites, click the “Sites” button, enter the desired site’s URL, and click “Allow”. To enable the “Do Not Track” feature, click on the gear icon in the top right corner, select “Safety” > “Turn on Do Not Track requests” from the dropdown menu, and click “Enable” in the pop-up window.

b. Google Chrome

• Click on the menu icon in the top right corner of the browser.
• Select “Settings,” then click on “Advanced” at the bottom, and then the “Content settings” button.
• Check the box next to “Block sites from setting any data” and/or next to “Block third-party cookies and site data”.
• Click “Done“.

 

To allow cookies only from specific sites, click the “Manage exceptions” button, enter the desired site’s URL, click “Allow”, and then “Done”. To enable the “Do Not Track” feature, go back to the “Settings” > “Advanced” menu in Chrome, and check the box next to “Send a ‘Do Not Track’ request with your browsing traffic”.

 

c. Firefox:

• Click on the “Menu” button in the top right corner of the browser.
• Select “Settings” and then click on the “Cookies” section.
• Check the box next to “Disable” to completely disable cookies, or select “Enable, excluding third parties” if you want to disable cookies only for third-party sites.

To activate the “Do Not Track” feature, click on the “Tracking” section and choose the option “Ask websites not to track” from the dropdown menu.

d. Safari

• Select the “Preferences” option from the Safari menu at the top left of the browser.
• Choose the “Privacy” tab, then click on the checkbox that says “Always block”.
• Alternatively, if you wish to allow cookies on a specific website: visit that website, go back to the browser’s privacy settings, and select the checkbox next to “Only allow from the current website”.

To enable the “Do Not Track” feature, go back to the “Safari menu” > “Preferences” > “Privacy” and check the box next to “Ask websites not to track me.”

3.1 BLOCKING COOKIES ON ANDROID MOBILE DEVICES

a. Chrome

• Tap on the “Menu” button at the top right of the browser.
• Select “Settings” and then tap on “Site settings” or “Privacy” and remove the checkmark from “Accept cookies” to disable cookies.

To enable the “Do Not Track” feature, go to “Settings” > “Privacy” and tap on “Do Not Track” to turn it on.

b. Firefox

• Tap on the “Menu” button at the top right of the browser.
• Select “Settings” and then tap on “Cookies” and select either “Disabled” to completely disable cookies or “Enabled, excluding third-party” to disable cookies only for third-party sites.

To enable the “Do Not Track” feature, tap on “Tracking” and choose the option “Ask websites not to track” from the options that appear.

3.2 BLOCKING COOKIES ON APPLE MOBILE DEVICES

• Select “Settings” from the iOS menu on the home screen.
• Select the Safari icon from the menu that appears.
• Under the “Block Cookies” section, check the box next to “Always Block” to completely disable cookies.

To activate the “Do Not Track” feature, go back to the “Settings” > “Safari” menu and toggle the switch next to “Do Not Track” to the “ON” position.

LEGAL NOTICE

On June 2, 2015, website operators became obligated to comply with the “Identification of simplified methods for providing information and obtaining consent for the use of cookies” provision (Official Gazette no. 126 of June 3, 2014) issued on May 8, 2014 by the Italian Data Protection Authority. This provision sets the rules for informing and obtaining consent from users when using cookies. For all websites that use non-technical (profiling) cookies, the provision states that when accessing any page of the website, a banner (containing a brief notice) must immediately appear prominently, with characteristics that interrupt the browsing experience, indicating:

1. The use of profiling cookies to send targeted advertising messages based on the user’s preferences during online browsing.
2. Whether the site allows the use of third-party cookies.
3. The link to the full privacy policy.
4. The option to refuse consent to the installation of any cookies.
5. That continuing to browse implies consenting to the use of cookies.

 

The brief notice banner must also be associated with a technical cookie that keeps track of the user’s consent for subsequent visits to the same website.