Definitions, characteristics, and applications
Cookies are small text files that websites you visit send to and store on your computer or mobile device, to be transmitted back to the same websites on your next visit. Using cookies enables a website to remember the user’s preferences (e.g. language chosen, font size, etc.) so that these do not need to be re-submitted when the user returns to that website or navigates between different pages of the same site. Cookies are therefore used to perform authentication, monitor sessions, and store information regarding the activities of users who access a website, and may also contain a unique identification code that enables a user’s browsing activities within the site to be tracked for statistical or advertising purposes. While browsing a website, users may also receive cookies on their devices from websites or web servers other than the one they are currently visiting (so-called ‘third-party’ cookies). Certain operations would not be possible without the use of cookies, which in some cases are therefore technically necessary for the website itself to function.
There are various types of cookies with different characteristics and functions, and these may remain on the user’s computer for differing periods of time: 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 pre-set expiry date.
Under current Italian legislation, express consent of the user is not always required for cookies to be used. In particular, “technical cookies” – i.e. those used for the sole purpose of transmitting information over an electronic communication network or that are strictly necessary to provide a service requested explicitly by the user – do not require such consent. In other words, these cookies are indispensable for the website to function or are necessary to perform activities requested by the user.
Technical cookies, which do not require express consent for their use, are listed by the Italian Data Protection Authority (please see: Provision for the identification of simplified means for information and the acquisition of consent to the use of cookies of 8 May 2014 and subsequent clarifications, hereinafter also only “Provision”), and include:
- “analytics cookies”, where used directly by the website operator to collect aggregate information on the number of users and how they visit the website itself;
- navigation or session cookies (for authentication);
- functionality cookies, which enable the user to browse according to a set of selected criteria (e.g. language, products selected for purchase) in order to improve the service offered to that user.
For “profiling cookies”, on the other hand – those used to create user profiles for the purpose of sending advertising that is in line with the preferences expressed by the user when surfing the web – prior consent of the user is required.
Types of cookies used on this website site and the possibility to select/deselect them.
We use technical and analytical cookies, including third-party cookies and other profiling technologies. To manage your preferences regarding these cookies and profiling technologies, please refer to the “Consent to Cookies” banner on the home page by clicking on “Cookie settings” (click on “Preferences”). Non-essential cookies are deactivated by default, but you can activate them by clicking on “Accept all”; otherwise you can continue browsing without them by clicking on “Refuse”. For more information, please read the Full Information section.
How to view and change cookies in your browser
You are able to authorise, block or delete cookies (wholly or in part) using the specific functions in your browser. For more information on how to set preferences on the use of cookies in your browser, please see the relevant instructions:
