What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files that the online portals visited by the user send and record on their computer or mobile device, to then be retransmitted to the same online portals on a subsequent visit. Thanks to cookies, the online portal remembers the user’s actions and preferences (such as login data, chosen language, font size and other display settings, etc.) so that they are shown again when the user visits that online portal again or navigates from one page to another.
Cookies are thus used to perform computer authentication, session monitoring and storage of information on the activities of users accessing an online portal and may also contain a unique identification code that allows the user’s browsing within the online portal itself to be monitored for statistical or advertising purposes.
While browsing an online portal, the user may also receive cookies on their computer or mobile device from online portals or web servers other than the one they are visiting (so-called “third-party cookies”). Some operations cannot be carried out without the use of cookies, which in some cases are technically necessary for the online portal to function.
There are various types of cookies, depending on their characteristics and functions, and they can remain on the user’s computer or mobile device for different periods of time: so-called session cookies, which are automatically deleted when the browser is closed; so-called persistent cookies, which remain on the user’s device for a predetermined period of time.
In accordance with the legislation in force in Portugal, the use of cookies does not always require express consent from the user. In particular, “technical cookies” do not require such consent, i.e. those used for the sole purpose of transmitting a communication over an electronic communications network, or to the extent strictly necessary to provide a service expressly requested by the user. In other words, cookies that are essential for the operation of the online portal or necessary to carry out activities requested by the user, namely: “analytics cookies” when used directly by the online portal manager to collect information, in aggregate form, on the number of users and how they visit the website, browsing or session cookies (to authenticate), functionality cookies that allow the user to browse according to a series of selected criteria (for example, language, products selected for purchase) in order to improve the service provided to them. For “ profile creation cookies ”, vice versa, i.e. those designed to create profiles relative to the user and used to send advertising messages in accordance with the preferences expressed by the user when browsing the Internet, prior consent from the user is required.
The online portal uses the following cookies that can be deselected, with the exception of third-party cookies for which the user must refer directly to the respective modalities for marking and deselecting the respective cookies, indicated through links:
- Technical cookies: browsing or session cookies that are strictly necessary for the operation of the online portal or to allow users to use the content and services they have requested.
- Analytics cookies, which are used to understand how the online portal is used by users. These cookies do not collect information about the user’s identity or any personal data. The information is processed in aggregate and anonymous form.
- Functionality cookies are used to activate specific features of the online portal and a series of selected criteria (e.g. language, products selected for purchase) in order to improve the service provided.
- Profile creation cookies used to send advertising messages in line with the preferences expressed by the user when browsing the internet.
ATTENTION:
By disabling technical and/or functionality cookies the online portal may become unavailable or some services or certain functions of the online portal may not be available or may not work properly and the user may be required to change or manually enter some information or preferences each time they visit the online portal.
Third-party cookies, i.e. cookies from online portals or web servers other than those of the Owner, used for the purposes of those third parties, including profile creation cookies. It should be noted that these third parties, listed below with the respective links to their privacy policies, are independent owners of the processing of the data collected through the cookies served by them; therefore, the user should consult their personal data processing policies, information and consent forms (marking and unmarking of the respective cookies).
How can you block the use of cookies?
Your browser allows you to manage cookies in the configuration operations, and you can even block all browsing cookies. However, blocking cookies will affect your user experience. You can also use the tool on the Electrorecâmbio website to block third-party cookies (i.e. Google Analytics).
Which entities can access the information collected by Cookies?
The information collected by cookies can only be used by Electrorecâmbio.
Last update: May 2018