A cookie is a fragment of plain text that contains information relating to each visit to a website. The expression “plain text” means that it includes non-executable letters, numbers and symbols. This text is stored in the browser used during the visit (Google Chrome, Safari, Edge, Opera, Firefox, etc.) so that, when a given user returns to the website, the information previously stored in that browser is retrieved.

The retrieved information may be used for different purposes, primarily:

• Technical purposes and for customisation of the user interface.
• Analytical purposes.
• Advertising purposes.

Depending on the purpose for which the cookies are to be used, in some cases no prior and express user consent is required to use them (these are “exempt cookies”), whereas in other cases this consent will be a requirement without which use of the cookies would be illegal (these are “non-exempt cookies”).

TYPES OF COOKIE

Cookies can be classified in line with different criteria. Whether or not express consent is required, as explained in the previous section, there are exempt and non-exempt cookies, but there are other classification criteria:

It is therefore important to consider the difference between first-party cookies of the website editor and third-party cookies: third-party cookies are a type of cookie that is characterised by the fact that it is not original to the website being browsed but are generated by services or providers outside that website. These third-party cookies are very often related to purposes that respond to the interests of these third parties, regardless of the fact that they may also be useful to the editor of the initial website. This is the case, for example, of the cookies used by Google Analytics and the cookies of the social networks LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter. These cookies are governed by their respective cookie policies of the external providers.

There are also session cookies and persistent cookies, depending on the time they remain active.

In all cases, the classification of cookies in line with the purpose is particularly important, as this primarily determines whether or not user consent is required. Along these lines, there are:

• Technical cookies: these allow for the management and operating of the website and the enabling of its functions and services, such as controlling traffic and data communications, identifying the session, accessing restricted access parts, remembering the items forming an order, completing the purchasing process for an order, managing payment, controlling fraud related to service security, making the subscription request or participating in an event, counting visits for licence billing for the software used to run the service (website, platform or app), using security elements during browsing, storing content to broadcast video or audio, enabling dynamic content (e.g. load animation of a text or image) or sharing content on the social media in certain circumstances.
• Preference or user interface personalisation cookies: these remember information relating to the preferred language of the user, the number of results to display when the user makes a search, the appearance or content of the service depending on the type of browser through which the user accesses the service or the region from where the service is accessed, etc. If the users themselves choose these characteristics (e.g. if they select the language of a website by clicking on the flag icon of the corresponding country), the cookies will be exempt.
• Analytics cookies: these enable the controller to measure and analyse behavioural statistics on users of the website based on aggregate data (data not attributable to a specific individual).

• Advertising cookies: these cookies store behavioural information on individual users obtained from permanently observing their browsing habits, allowing for the development of a specific profile to display personalised advertising depending on it.

IS THE USE OF COOKIES A RISK TO THE USER?

In terms of computer security, it is important to clarify that cookies are not a computer program and, therefore, they cannot delete, read or modify the information that users have stored in their computer devices. To this end, it is often said that cookies -in themselves- are secure. In other words, they are not any type of malware that could damage your PC; Smartphone, tablet, etc. However, cookies –especially those known as session cookies- could be subject to a cyberattack. This is called “session hijacking”. However, there are several ways in which a website manager can mitigate these risks by implementing security protocols.

Insofar as the security of personal data, although cookies do not identify the user directly, they can do so indirectly through the combination of elements such as the IP, the browser used, the login credentials or user tracking during browsing, particularly when third-party cookies are used. It is therefore important for users to be aware of the fact that they are free to consent or reject the use of the different types of cookies depending on the control they wish to have over their personal data.

From a functional viewpoint, the use of cookies has the following advantages and disadvantages:

• Advantages: cookies can be extremely useful in making a page load more quickly and in streamlining browsing. They also mean that the user does not have to complete the same forms again and again, or does not have to enter their username and password whenever they visit the website, and they can use the “shopping cart” function, etc. Furthermore, the use of certain types of cookie provides information on the habits, tastes and preferences of users in order to offer specific products and services in line with their user profile (personalised advertising).
• Disadvantages: the illegal use of cookies is a breach of the fundamental rights of privacy and personal data protection of users.

EXEMPT AND NON-EXEMPT COOKIES

According to current law, any website that uses cookies or other similar resources must provide full, clear information on their purpose, and they must obtain the express consent of users before they are downloaded, except in relation to those known as “exempt cookies” for which no consent is required. Exempt cookies include:

• Session and login cookies: these are normally used to track the actions of the user when completing online forms on several pages, or as a shopping cart to track the items the user has selected by clicking on them.
• User authentication or identification cookies (session-only).
• User-centric security cookies: for example, the cookies used to detect erroneous attempts or repeat attempts to connect to a website.
• Multimedia player session cookies (these allow for audio or video to be played).
• Load balancing session cookies.
• User Interface personalisation cookies.
• Certain plug-in cookies to share content on social media, exclusively when the user is logged into social networks.
• plug-in) para compartir contenidos en redes sociales, exclusivamente en el caso de que el usuario tenga abierta la sesión en redes sociales.

The use of all other cookies –non-exempt- involves the duty to inform and to obtain express consent from the user before they are downloaded.

WHICH TYPE OF COOKIES CAN BE DOWNLOADED WHEN BROWSING THIS WEBSITE?

This website uses first-party and third-party cookies. Some are strictly necessary for the correct working order of the website pages and others are optional and are used for analytical and advertising purposes.

This website has the use of the Google Analytics (Google) and Youtube (Alphabet, Inc) tool implemented. This means that, in the event of express consent by the user, the personal data obtained through the use of non-exempt cookies may be transferred to servers located in the United States.

However, there is currently no adequacy decision by the European Commission for the United States and it is no possible at present to guarantee a reasonable level of data protection in that country. To this end, it is important to note that it might not be possible to delete any data transferred or prevent that data from being processed for different purposes that are not compatible with those indicated when it was obtained. Furthermore, the user might not be able to effectively exercise their rights regarding data protection in relation to that data transferred to the United States. The foregoing is indicated in order to comply with the duty to inform required in accordance with current regulations in Spain, regardless of the fact that any consent granted may be withdrawn at any time without retroactive effects.

To view the cookies in detail, please refer to the cookies table.

HOW CAN COOKIES BE CONFIGURED AND DISABLED?

When accessing our website for the first time, a window is displayed in which you are asked to choose between accessing all non-exempt cookies, rejecting them all or configuring them selectively using the settings opinion (which can be accessed directly at that time from this window, or later on from the Cookie Settings link available on the website).

If third-party cookies are accepted and you later wish to delete them, you must use the cookie disabling tools of the different browsers or the system provided by these third parties.

There are also options to disable Google Analytics, which you can find here.If you do not want a social network provider to collect information on you through our website, disable the network plug-ins.

If you do not want a link to be generated to your current user account, log off the social network before you visit our website.

The options settings of the browser you are using can be used to block or delete the cookies installed in your device.

• If you use Microsoft Edge, Click here
• If you use Microsoft Internet Explorer, in the Tools menu > Internet Options > Privacy > Settings. To learn more, Click here
• If you use Firefox, in the Tools menu > Options > Privacy > Cookies. To learn more Click here
• If you use Chrome, in the Options section > Advanced options > Privacy. To learn more, Click here
• If you use Opera, can you configure the browser in the Security and Privacy option. To learn more, Click here