What is a cookie?

Cookies are small data files that many internet sites automatically download and store on a user’s internet enabled devices e.g. computers, phones or tablet’s hard disks. They are primarily used in helping websites recognise a user who has visited the website previously. The stored data files contain small amounts of information, including account and password information, to simplify the logging on process for registered users. FOAHK’s site uses cookies so that we can better facilitate your return to the site (further details on the exact type of cookies we use and their purposes are set out below).

FOAHK’s use of cookies

FOAHK’s site uses a number of different cookies to improve the user experience and gather data analytics:

• Single session cookies – these enable the site to keep track of your movement from page to page in order to ensure that you will not be asked for the same information you have previously given during your visit to the site. Cookies allow you to proceed through the site quickly and easily without having to authenticate or reprocess every new area you visit. We may use the cookies to analyse user behaviour, such as which pages have been visited during the session, in order to improve your overall experience – for example, enabling us to determine and display more relevant content.
• Remember me cookies – these cookies enable the site to remember your personal preferences such as log-in details in order to improve the user experience – for example, by-passing the necessity of you having to re-enter these details on each visit.
• Persistent cookies – these enable us to collect information such as number of visitors to the site and pages visited in order to analyse user behaviour. This information is collected in an anonymous format and will be collated with similar information received from other users to enable us to compile reports in order to develop and improve user experience by displaying more tailored and relevant content for example.

How long will the cookies remain on my computer?

The cookies will remain in the cookies file of your browser after closing the browser and will become active again when the site is reopened, until removed. The cookie(s) can be deleted at any time by you. The cookie(s) will not collect any information when you are not accessing the site.

Third party cookies

Please note that some cookies on the website are managed by third parties, including, for example, the single session and persistent cookies which are provided on our behalf by a trusted third party service provider to aid in the reporting of user behaviour on the site. This behaviour is analysed to provide an improved user experience. The information collected is not linked to personally identifiable information.

We also use Google Analytics to help us analyse use of the site including an overall view of visitor habits and visitor volume in order to improve the overall user experience. Google Analytics generates statistical and other information about website use by means of cookies, which are stored by users’ web browsers on their computer.  The information generated relating to FOAHK’s site is used to create reports about website activity and the use of the site. Google holds this information and provides us access to it. Google’s privacy policy is available at http://www.google.com/privacypolicy.html.

You do not have to accept cookies but without accepting them you may experience reduced site functionality and access to the website. If you wish to reject and block cookies, please read the information that came with your browser software to see how you can turn off the automatic download feature. For more information about cookies, including how to set your internet browser to reject cookies, please go to www.allaboutcookies.org.

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