COOKIES AND LOCAL STORAGE – HOW THEY WORK

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your browser or device by websites, apps, online media, and advertisements. There are different types of cookies. Cookies served by the entity that operates the domain you are visiting are called “first party cookies.” So, cookies served by PORTL while you are on the PORTL Platform are first party cookies. Cookies served by companies that are not operating the domain you are visiting are called “third party cookies.” For eg., we may allow Google to set a cookie on your browser while you visit the PORTL Platform, and that would be a third party cookie. Cookies may also endure for different periods of time. “Session Cookies” only last only as long as your browser is open. These are deleted automatically once you close your browser. Other cookies are “persistent cookies” meaning that they survive after your browser is closed. For example, they may recognize your device when you re-open your browser and browse the internet again.

“Pixel tags” (also called beacons or pixels) are small blocks of code installed on (or called by) a webpage, app, or advertisement which can retrieve certain information about your device and browser, including for example: device type, operating system, browser type and version, website visited, time of visit, referring website, IP address, and other similar information, including the small text file (the cookie) that uniquely identifies the device. Pixels provide the means by which third parties can set and read browser cookies from a domain that they do not themselves operate and collect information about visitors to that domain, typically with the permission of the domain owner.

Local storage is a technology that allows a website or application to store information locally on your device. “Software Development Kits” (also called SDKs) function like pixels and cookies, but operate in the mobile app context where pixels and cookies cannot always function. The primary App developer can install pieces of code (the SDK) from partners in the App, and thereby allow the partner to collect certain information about user interaction with the App and information about the User/ End User device and network information.

WHEN AND WHY DO WE USE THESE TECHNOLOGIES?

Our Cookies Policy is to be read in conjunction with our Data Protection and Privacy Policy and our Terms & Conditions. We encourage you to please read our policies in their entirety to thoroughly understand these terms.  We do not use cookies or any form of web markers or trackers or similar technology on our PORTL devices. However we do use cookies and other identification technologies when you are accessing our Website, App, Social Media accounts for various purposes, including: authenticating Users and End Users, store information about you (including on your device or in your browser cache) and your use of our PORTL Platform, remembering user preferences and settings, determining the popularity of content, delivering and measuring the effectiveness of advertising campaigns, analyzing site traffic and trends, and generally understanding the online behaviors and interests of people who interact with and/or access our Platform.

We may store temporary or permanent cookies on your computer. You can erase or choose to block these cookies from your computer. You can configure your computer’s browser to alert you when we attempt to send you a cookie with an option to accept or refuse the cookie. If you have turned cookies off, you may be prevented from using certain features of the Platform. In the course of displaying advertisements regarding its services or optimizing services to its Users/ End Users, PORTL may allow authorized third parties to place or recognize a unique cookie on the User’s browser/device. We do not store personally identifiable information in the cookies. It is to also be noted, PORTL does not exercise control over the sites displayed as search results or links when you access our Platform. These other third- party sites may place their own cookies or other files on your computer, mobile and other hand – held devices, collect data or solicit personal information from you, for which PORTL shall not be responsible or liable. 

These third parties may also set cookies on your device(s) on our behalf when you visit the PORTL Platform to allow them to deliver the services they are providing. When you visit the PORTL Platform you may receive cookies from third party websites or domains. More information about these cookies may be available on the relevant third party’s website. Please note that we cannot provide an exhaustive list of all third party analytics providers with whom we work or collaborate and PORTL is not responsible in any way whatsoever for these third- parties and your use or access of such third- party sites is not governed by PORTL policies. We encourage you to thoroughly read the privacy policies of all external sites.

SOME TYPES OF COOKIES WE MAY USE (non- exhaustive list)

Authentication Cookies – These cookies (including local storage and similar technologies) tell us when you’re logged in, so we can show you the appropriate experience and features such as your account information, order history and to edit your account settings.

Security & Site Integrity Cookies – We use these cookies to support or enable security features to help keep PORTL safe and secure. For example, they enable us to remember when you are logged into a secure area of the Services and help protect your account from being accessed by anyone other than you.

Site features and Services – These provide functionality that help us deliver products and Services. For example, cookies help you log in by pre-filling fields. We may also use cookies and similar technologies to help us provide you and others with social plug- ins and other customized content and experiences, such as making suggestions to you and others.

Analytics & Research – These are used to understand, improve, and research products and Services, including when you access the PORTL website and related websites and apps from a computer or mobile device. For example, we may use cookies to understand how you are using site features, and segmenting audiences for feature testing. We and our partners may use these technologies and the information we receive to improve and understand how you use websites, apps, products, services and ads.

Advertising – Things like cookies and pixels are used to deliver relevant ads, track ad campaign performance and efficiency. For example, we and our ad partners may rely on information gleaned through these cookies to serve you ads that may be interesting to you on other websites. Similarly, our partners may use a cookie, attribution service or another similar technology to determine whether we’ve served an ad and how it performed or provide us with information about how you interact with them.

HOW CAN I CONTROL COOKIES?

Most internet browsers are initially set up to automatically accept cookies. You can change the settings to block cookies or to alert you when cookies are being sent to your device. There are a number of ways to manage cookies. Please refer to your browser instructions or help screen to learn more about how to adjust or modify your browser settings.

If you disable the cookies that we use, this may impact your experience while on the PORTL Platform, for example you may not be able to visit certain areas of the PORTL Platform or you may not receive personalised information when you visit the PORTL Platform or you may also be unable to login to services or programs, such as logging into forums or accounts.

If you use different devices to view and access the PORTL Platform (e.g. your computer, smartphone, tablet etc) you will need to ensure that each browser on each device is adjusted to suit your cookie preferences. The browser settings for changing your cookies settings are usually found in the ‘options’ or ‘preferences’ menu of your internet browser. You should use the ‘Help’ option in your internet browser for more details.