Information on the use of cookies

Valsir’s websites use cookies and similar technologies to ensure the proper functioning of procedures and improve users’ experience with online applications.
This document provides detailed information on the use of cookies and similar technologies, on how they are used by Valsir and on how to manage them.

Definitions

Cookies are short fragments of text (letters and/or numbers) of small dimensions that allow the web server to store information on the client (the browser) to be reused while visiting the site (session cookies) or on subsequent visits, even several days later (persistent cookies). The cookies are stored in accordance with the browser settings selected by the user on each specific device used (computer, tablet, smartphone).

Similar technologies, such as web beacons, transparent GIFs and all forms of local storage introduced by HTML5, can be used to gather information regarding user behaviour and use of services.

In the rest of this document, we will refer to cookies and all similar technologies simply using the term “cookies”.

Types of cookies

Cookies can be divided into different categories according to their characteristics and use:

  • Strictly necessary cookies. These cookies are essential for Valsir websites to run properly and are used to manage log-ins, translations and access to the reserved functions of the website. The disabling of said cookies will compromise use of the services accessed by logging in. The public part of the Valsir websites will normally remain usable.
  • Analytics and performance cookies. These cookies are used to collect and analyse the traffic and use of the website anonymously. While these cookies do not identify the user, they can, for example, detect if the same user returns to the website at different times. They also allow the system to be monitored and to improve its performance and usability. These cookies can be disabled without any loss of functionality.
  • Profiling cookies. These permanent cookies are used to identify (anonymously and not) users’ preferences and improve their browsing experience.

Third-party cookies

When visiting a website you may receive cookies both from the website visited (“first party”), and from websites managed by other organisations (“third parties”). To release this type of cookie, user consent may be necessary. An important example of this can be found in the “social plug-ins” for Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn. These parts of the visited page are generated directly by said websites and integrated into the host website’s page. Social plug-ins are commonly used to share content on social networks.

The presence of these plug-ins involves sending cookies to and from websites all run by third parties. Please refer to the relevant policies to see how the information collected by “third parties” is managed. To guarantee greater transparency and convenience, below are the web addresses of the different cookie management policies and procedures.

  • Facebook policy: https://www.facebook.com/help/cookies/
  • Facebook (configuration): log in to your account. Privacy section.
  • Twitter policy: https://support.twitter.com/articles/20170514
  • Twitter (configuration): https://twitter.com/settings/security
  • Linkedin policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/cookie-policy
  • Linkedin (configuration): https://www.linkedin.com/settings/
  • Google+ policy:http://www.google.it/intl/it/policies/technologies/cookies/
  • Google+ (configuration): http://www.google.it/intl/it/policies/technologies/managing/

Google Analytics

The Valsir website also includes some add-ons sent by Google Analytics, a web traffic analysis service provided by Google, Inc. (“Google”). This also involves third party cookies gathered and managed anonymously to monitor and improve the host website’s performance (performance cookies).

Google Analytics uses cookies to gather and analyse information anonymously on user behaviour of the website (including the user’s IP address). This information is gathered by Google Analytics, which processes it to compile reports for Valsir operators regarding the activities on the websites themselves.

This website does not use (nor does it allow third parties to use) the Google analytics tool to monitor or gather personal identification information.

Google does not associate the IP addresses with any other data in Google’s possession nor does it connect IP addresses with users’ identities. Google may also disclose this information to third parties if required by law or if said third parties process the abovementioned information for Google.

For more information, please click on the following link: https://www.google.it/policies/privacy/partners/.

Users may selectively disable Google Analytics by installing the opt-out add-on provided by Google. To disable Google Analytics, please click on the following link: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout

Duration of cookies

Some cookies (session cookies) only remain active until the browser is closed or until the user logs out. Other cookies “survive” after the browser has been closed and are available on subsequent user visits.

These are known as persistent cookies and their duration is defined by the server when they are created. In some cases, an expiry date is defined; in other cases, their duration is indefinite.

While browsing on the pages of this website, however, you may interact with websites managed by third parties that can create or modify permanent and profiling cookies.

5. Cookie management

 

Users may decide whether or not to accept the cookies by using their browser settings.

Please note: by fully or partially disabling technical cookies, you might not be able to use the website functions reserved for registered users. On the other hand, public content can be used even if the cookies have been completely disabled.

Disabling “third party” cookies will not affect your browsing in any way.

Settings can be defined specifically for different websites and web applications. The best browsers will also allow you to use different settings for “first party” and “third party” cookies.

For example, by using the Tools->Options ->Privacy menu on Firefox, you can access a control panel where you can choose whether to accept the different types of cookies and delete them.

Instructions for managing cookies:

    Chrome: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647?hl=it
    Firefox: https://support.mozilla.org/it/kb/Gestione dei cookie
    Internet Explorer: http://windows.microsoft.com/it-it/windows7/how-to-manage-cookies-in-internet-explorer-9
    Opera: http://help.opera.com/Windows/10.00/it/cookies.html
    Safari: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1677?viewlocale=it_IT


This policy is available to users by clicking on the link on all of the website pages in compliance with art. 122, second paragraph, of Legislative Decree 196/2003 and pursuant to the simplified procedures for providing information and obtaining consent for the use of cookies published in the Gazzetta Ufficiale n.126, 3 June 2014, and relative provisions n.229, 8 May 2014.