1. What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files that websites visited by users send to their terminals, where they are stored before being re-transmitted to the same websites on the next visit. So-called “third-party” cookies, on the other hand, are set by a website other than the one the user is visiting. This is because each website may contain elements (images, maps, sounds, specific links to web pages on other domains, etc.) that reside on servers other than the one of the visited website.
2. What are cookies used for?
Cookies are used for various purposes: performing computer authentication, monitoring sessions, storing information on specific configurations regarding users accessing the server, storing preferences, etc.
3. What are “technical” cookies?
These are cookies used for browsing or to provide a service requested by the user. They are not used for other purposes and are normally installed directly by the website owner.
Without the use of these cookies, some operations could not be performed or would be more complex and/or less secure, such as home banking activities (viewing account statements, making bank transfers, paying bills, etc.), for which cookies, which allow user identification to be established and maintained throughout the session, are essential.
4. Are analytics cookies “technical” cookies?
No. The Italian Data Protection Authority (see provision of May 8, 2014) has specified that they can be considered technical cookies only if used for website optimization purposes directly by the website owner, who may collect aggregate information on the number of users and how they visit the website. Under these conditions, the same rules regarding information and consent apply to analytics cookies as those for technical cookies.
5. What are “profiling” cookies?
These cookies are used to track a user’s online browsing and create profiles on their tastes, habits, choices, etc. These cookies can be used to send advertising messages to the user’s terminal in line with the preferences already expressed by the user while browsing online.
6. Is user consent required for the installation of cookies on their terminal?
It depends on the purposes for which the cookies are used, and therefore whether they are “technical” or “profiling” cookies.
User consent is not required for the installation of technical cookies, but information is required (Article 13 of the Privacy Code). Profiling cookies, however, can be installed on the user’s terminal only if the user has given their consent after being informed through simplified procedures.