This policy addresses how we collect and store information via the use of technologies such as cookies and pixel tags on the Site.
Use of Cookies
Cookies are small text files downloaded by your Internet browser and stored on the device you use to access the Site (e.g., your desktop computer, tablet or smartphone). Depending on their purpose, cookies log specific user-related information such as your user preferences, authentication information, security parameters, data concerning the device you access the Site with and statistical information regarding your use of the Site. Where necessary during your visit of the Site or when revisiting the Site, your Internet browser transmits the cookies including the contained information back to the servers they were initially downloaded from or created by. The analysis and processing of such information allows us to ensure the functionality of the Site, improve your online experience and optimize the structure and content of the Site.
The cookies we use can be categorized as follows:
Strictly Necessary Cookies – These are cookies that are required for the operation of the Site or of certain parts thereof. They either serve the sole purpose of carrying out network transmissions or are strictly necessary in order for us to provide an online service explicitly requested by you. These cookies cannot be disabled as they are required to allow the website to operate properly.
Performance Cookies – These cookies collect information about how visitors use the Site, for instance which pages visitors go to most often, and if they get error messages from web pages. This helps us to improve the way the Site works, for example, by ensuring that users are easily finding what they are looking for.
Functionality Cookies – These cookies are used to recognize you when you return to the Site. This enables us to personalize our content for you, greet you by name and remember your preferences (for example, your choice of language or region). Loss of the information in these cookies may make our services less functional but would not prevent the Site from working.
Targeting/Advertising Cookies – These cookies record your visit to the Site and/or your use of the services, the pages you have visited and the links you have followed. We will use this information to make the Site and the advertising displayed on it more relevant to your interests. We may also share this information with third parties for this purpose.
Use of Pixel Tags
We and our service providers may also use so-called “pixel tags,” “web beacons,” “clear GIFs” or similar means (collectively, “pixels”) in connection with some Site pages and HTML-formatted e-mail messages to, among other things, track the actions of Site users and e-mail recipients, to determine the success of marketing campaigns and to compile aggregate statistics about Site usage and response rates.
How do I enable or disable the use of cookies and pixels?
You may influence the scope and extent to which we use cookies and pixels when you visit our Site. In particular, you may disable cookies from being stored on your device and pixel tracking by adjusting the respective settings on your Internet browser. However, please be aware that this might render certain functions of our Site inoperable or more difficult to use. Depending on the Internet browser you use, you might also be able to specifically reject third-party cookies. In this context, please note, however, that third parties might still have access to your information to the extent that such information is logged by first-party cookies.