Cookie Information
In the digital ecosystem of the modern Internet, cookies have become an essential technological component, providing basic functionality, security, and analytics for billions of web resources. The platform is aware of its responsibility to users in matters of transparency and control over their data. This document is intended not only to formally comply with legal requirements but to explain in a detailed, honest, and accessible way what these technologies are, how they are used on the platform, and which categories of data they process. Crucially, what specific rights and tools each user has to manage them.
The platform’s core position is that user awareness is the cornerstone of a trust-based relationship. Therefore, the Cookie Policy is presented in as much detail as possible, explaining the legal grounds, technical aspects, and practical steps that any visitor can take.
Fundamental Understanding of the Nature and Operation of Cookies
From a technical perspective, cookies are small text files that the platform’s web server sends and stores on the user’s device (personal computer, smartphone, tablet) when the site is visited for the first time. The user’s browser acts as a repository for these files. On each subsequent visit to the platform’s pages, the browser automatically sends the relevant stored cookies back to the server. This mechanism allows the platform to “recognize” the user within a single session or across repeated visits, which forms the basis for delivering a personalized and consistent interface experience.
It is important to note that cookies themselves are not programs, scripts, or executable files. They cannot contain viruses, Trojans, or other malicious code. Their nature is purely textual, and the amount of information stored is minimal, usually a unique session identifier, language preferences, or other service labels. Physically, these files do not have access to the device’s operating system, its file structure, the user’s personal documents, or any confidential information stored outside the browser.
Detailed Classification of Cookies by Purpose on the Platform
To ensure full transparency, the platform classifies all cookies used according to their functional purpose and duration. This classification helps users make informed decisions about consent to processing.
- Technically necessary cookies (mandatory). This category is fundamental to the very existence and proper functioning of the platform. According to the GDPR and regulatory explanations, these cookies do not require prior user consent, as without them, the provision of the requested digital service would be physically impossible. These include, firstly, session cookies, which are valid exclusively within a single site visit (browser session). They provide secure user authentication during login, allow items to be saved in the shopping cart while browsing the Catalog, distribute server load to ensure stability, and manage connection settings. These files are automatically deleted as soon as the session ends, when the user closes the browser. Their sole purpose is the technical implementation of electronic communication explicitly requested by the User;
- Functional cookies (settings and preferences). These files have a longer lifespan and are stored on the user’s device for a defined period (for example, several months). Their task is to remember conscious choices made by the user so that the same information does not have to be entered repeatedly on each visit. Examples include saving the preferred interface language, regional settings (currency, units), page layout type, or the state of accordions and filters. Although the site can function without these cookies, disabling them will result in the loss of personalization and reduced overall usability of the platform;
- Analytical and performance cookies. The purpose of this category is to collect aggregated, non-personal statistics on how users generally interact with the platform. This data is never used to identify a specific individual. Analytics help answer questions such as which sections of the site are most popular, where visitors come from, how long the average session lasts, and on which pages users most often complete interactions. The information generated by these cookies is invaluable to the platform’s development and design teams, as it enables data-driven decisions regarding performance optimization, navigation improvements, bug fixes, and the development of the most in-demand features;
- Marketing (advertising) cookies. This is the most sensitive category from a privacy perspective. These cookies, typically third-party, are used to track user activity not only on the platform but also across other websites on the Internet. Their main purpose is to analyze interests and behavior to display the most relevant targeted advertising on the platform itself and within advertising networks. These cookies are what form a digital interest profile. The platform follows the principle that the choices “accept all” and “reject all” must be visually and technically equivalent for the user, without any manipulative design techniques (so-called “dark patterns”).
Practical Cookie Management Tools at the Browser Level
Each user has absolute sovereignty over the cookies stored on their device. The primary and most powerful control tool is the Internet browser settings. Almost all modern browsers offer an advanced set of options for managing this data. The user can go to the “Settings” or “Options” section, find the “Privacy and security” or “cookies and site data” subsection, and access the following functions:
- View the full list of stored cookies. The browser displays a list of all websites that have stored a cookie on the device, with the ability to see the name, content, lifespan, and other attributes of each file;
- Selective or complete deletion of cookies. The user can delete cookies stored over a specific period of time (for example, the last hour, day, week, or all time) or manually select and delete files associated with specific or untrusted sites;
- Blocking cookies for specific or all sites. In the settings, it is possible to define a global rule that prohibits all sites from storing cookies or to create a blacklist of exceptions for individual resources. A more flexible option is to block only third-party cookies, which allows maintaining the experience on primary sites while limiting the capabilities of advertising network trackers;
- Notification settings. The user can enable an option where the browser asks for permission each time a site attempts to save a new cookie. This provides maximum control, but may make web browsing intermittent and less convenient;
- Management of plugin data. Managing multimedia content that uses Adobe Flash technology (now obsolete but sometimes encountered) requires a separate settings manager available on Adobe’s website or within the plugin’s own settings.
It is important to be aware of the consequences of such restrictions. Completely blocking or globally deleting all cookies will inevitably cause the user to be automatically logged out of all accounts on all websites after closing the browser. Blocking third-party cookies may disrupt embedded widgets such as maps, video players, or social media buttons that rely on services from their providers.
FAQ
How do I enable cookies on the platform?
On the first visit to the site, the user is shown a clear, unobtrusive, but clearly visible informational banner (cookie banner). This banner does not use manipulative design: the buttons “accept all”, “reject all”, and “customize” are presented with equal visual accessibility. The banner contains links to this Cookie Policy and to the platform’s Privacy Policy. Clicking the “Customize” button opens a detailed control panel where the user can, by category, enable or disable analytical and marketing cookies, while leaving the mandatory technical cookies active to ensure site functionality.
Does disabling analytical cookies affect the security of my account on the platform?
No, it does not. Authentication, security, and personal account protection are provided exclusively by technically necessary (session) cookies and other server-side cryptographic mechanisms, such as tokens and HTTPS connection encryption. Analytical cookies are not involved in authorization processes and do not have access to logins, passwords, or payment information. Disabling them only affects the collection of anonymized statistics for developers, not the security of your account.
Why, even after completely clearing browser cookies, do some sites, including your platform, still “recognize” me?
This can happen for several technical reasons that are not related to bypassing your settings. First, some sites may use alternative and more persistent browser storage mechanisms, such as Local Storage or Session Storage, which are not cleared by the standard “delete cookies” command. Second, if you are logged into an account (such as Google or Apple) that uses your browser, sites may use anonymous identifiers provided by that account to combat fraud without storing classic cookies. Third, identification may be performed by your internet service provider through a static IP address. The platform does not use hidden tracking methods, and being “recognized” after clearing cookies usually means that you are logged into your account on the site itself, and a new session with new cookies has been created.
What is the Do Not Track (DNT) mechanism in a browser, and does your platform take it into account?
DNT is a technological signal that the user’s browser can send to visited websites, indicating a preference not to be tracked for behavioral advertising purposes. However, at present, responding to this signal is not a unified legal requirement. Many large advertising networks and platforms are not obligated to comply with it. The platform, seeking maximum respect for privacy, treats the receipt of a DNT signal as an expression of the User’s will, equivalent to refusing marketing and analytical cookies. If DNT is enabled in your browser, the platform will not install corresponding trackers on your device by default, even if you have not interacted with the cookie banner. Nevertheless, it is recommended to use the customization tools provided by the platform to explicitly confirm your choice.
Is it mandatory to complete consent forms on websites if I have already set a global cookie block in my browser?
Yes, it is still important. Browser-level blocking and website-level consent are two complementary but different layers of protection. Your browser physically prevents files from being saved to disk. However, the website, having obtained your explicit consent through its interface, will also not attempt to initiate data collection and processing on its side or transmit data to third-party partners. This provides a double safeguard. In addition, some modern data collection methods (for example, server-side tracking) may not rely on browser cookies but are governed by the same consent. Therefore, interacting with the site banner, especially using the “reject all” option, is an important and legally valid action that gives you an additional layer of control and creates a record of your choice.
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