This Cookie Policy is effective as of, and was last updated on October 14, 2022.

 

1. COOKIES AND OTHER TECHNOLOGIES

1.1 OVERVIEW

Cookies are small text files that are sent to a user’s browser by the website visited or when an email is opened. They are used for numerous different purposes. Some operations within a website may not be performed without the use of certain cookies that are technically necessary for operation of the website. Other cookies may contain a unique ID code that allows tracking a user’s browsing activities within a website, for statistical or advertising purposes.

The use of cookies to create profiles on users and to send advertising messages that take into account the preferences revealed by the user while browsing websites may require prior consent from the user, according to the Applicable Law that applies to that user.

The Platform uses the following types of cookies:

– Browsing or session cookies: these cookies are strictly necessary for the operation of the website, and/or to allow the user to use the website content and the Platform.
– Analytics cookies: these cookies provide information that is used to understand how a website is used, and to track traffic to and from a website.
– Functional cookies: these cookies are used to activate specific functions and to configure webpages according to the user’s preference such as font size or language.
– Profiling cookies: these cookies are used to observe a user’s interest based on activities on a website, and to send advertisements that take these preferences into account.

1.2 FIRST PARTY COOKIES

We use the following cookies

Technical name  Cookie type, function and purpose  Duration
has_js The has_js cookie is used by the Drupals Batch API and it is not related to user data.  Session
 mem_storage The cookie is used while a member is completing a form, to fetch member related information in our member database and assist in the completion of the form  Session
SSESSd52c5d14dabfab1e18a22add3109f3bb Used to maintain the session of a logged in user  20 days
ah_app_server The cookie is associated with Acquia cloud. This cookie gets created when a new user logs in. For any user with this permission, the site sets a cookie named ah_app_server. The cookie is deleted when the user logs out.  One year
_ga Registers a unique ID that is used to generate statistical data on how the visitor uses the website.  2 years
_gat Used by Google Analytics to throttle request rate  Session
_gid Registers a unique ID that is used to generate statistical data on how the visitor uses the website Session
NID Registers a unique ID that identifies a returning user’s device. The ID is used for targeted ads.  6 Months
rc::a Used to distinguish between humans and bots.  Session
rc::b  Used to distinguish between humans and bots.  Session
rc::c  Used to distinguish between humans and bots.  Session

1.3 ANALYTICS COOKIES

We use Google Analytics to collect information that permits evaluation of the use of the Website, analysis of user’s behavior and improvement of user experience. See Section 5.1.

1.5 WEB BEACONS

A “Web Beacon” is an object that is embedded in a web page. It is usually invisible to you but allows us to check whether you have viewed a particular web page or email communication. We place Web Beacons on pages of the Platform, such as on our website and in emails we send to you. You may not decline Web Beacons.

1.6 HOW TO BLOCK OR DISABLE COOKIES

You may choose to block our Platform and other sites from setting cookies by changing the settings of your browser. Please note that blocking or disabling certain cookies may interfere with certain functionalities of some parts of our Platform.

(a.) To learn more about cookies:

All About Cookies: http://www.allaboutcookies.org/
Cookie Central: http://www.cookiecentral.com/faq/
Network Advertising: http://networkadvertising.org/.

(b.) To obtain information specific a particular browser:

Explorer: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/196955
Firefox: http://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/Cookies
Google Chrome: http://support.google.com/chrome/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=95647
Opera: http://www.opera.com/browser/tutorials/security/privacy/
Safari: http://support.apple.com/kb/ph5042
Safari iOS: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1677
Android: http://support.google.com/android/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=1722193
Blackberry: http://docs.blackberry.com/en/smartphone_users/deliverables/32004/Turn_off_cookies_in_the_browser_60_1072866_11.jsp
Windows Phone: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsphone/en-us/howto/wp7/web/changing-privacy-and-other-browser-settings.aspx

1.7 INTEREST-BASED ADVERTISING

We use information collected about a user’s use of our Platform to arrange for advertisements about our service to be served to a user on third party’s websites in accordance with our e-Marketing Policy. To do so, our advertising service provider places or recognizes a unique cookie on the user’s browser and uses other techniques, such as pixel tags.

If you would like more information about this practice and to learn about your choices, please visit http://www.aboutads.info or http://www.networkadvertising.org

1.8 OPT-OUT OF INTEREST-BASED ADVERTISING

Users may opt-out of receiving interest-based advertising as explained below. The opt-out may be provided through specific opt-out cookies.

(a.) To Control Advertising on Websites

Digital Advertising Alliance:
http://www.aboutads.info/choices/
http://www.aboutads.info
http://www.aboutads.info/consumers
Europe: http://youronlinechoices.eu

Network Advertising Initiative:
http://www.networkadvertising.org/choices/
http://www.networkadvertising.org
http://www.aboutads.info/consumers

(b.) Please note the following:

Using a new computer or a different browser, upgrading certain browsers, or modifying or erasing a browser’s cookie file, may clear an opt-out cookie.

Opting out of receiving interest-based advertising does not result in blocking all advertisements served to your equipment. You will continue receiving advertisements; these advertisements will be generic or based on the content of a webpage that you are visiting, instead of being targeted to your specific interests.

There are many more companies listed on these sites than those that place cookies on your device when you access our Platform.

1.9 GOOGLE ANALYTICS, DEMOGRAPHICS AND INTEREST REPORTING

Information collected by the Google Analytics cookie is transmitted to, and stored by, Google in accordance with its privacy practices. For more information on Google’s Privacy Policies, visit: http://www.google.com/privacypolicy.html.

To see an overview of privacy at Google and how this applies to Google Analytics, please visit: https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/6004245.

To opt out of Google Analytics, please visit: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

We use demographic information we collect through our use of Google Analytics Demographics and Interest Reporting solely for purposes of performing internal statistical analytics relating to the Site.

We also use Google Analytics for Display Advertising and, specifically, Google Analytics Demographics and Interest Reporting, to help us display advertising for products or services that we think may be of interest to users. You can opt-out of receiving interest-based advertisements through the Site, as well as customize the types of advertisements that will be displayed to you through the Site, by following the instructions located at https://support.google.com/ads.

1.10 SOCIAL MEDIA

You can edit or remove the permissions you have granted to use information from your connected social media accounts by adjusting the privacy settings on your social media account. See the following for instructions on how to change or remove third party access on each platform:

Twitter: https://help.twitter.com/en/managing-your-account/connect-or-revoke-access-to-third-party-apps
Meta: https://www.facebook.com/help/262314300536014/