Cookies

What are cookies?

Cookie files (so-called “cookies”) are IT data, in particular text files, which are stored on the Website User’s end device and are intended for using the Website’s pages. Cookies usually contain the name of the website from which they origi-nate, their storage time on the end device and a unique number.

Cookies are used for the purpose

1. Adjusting the content of the Website pages to the User’s preferences and opti-mizing the use of websites; in particular, these files allow to recognize the Web-site User’s device and properly display the website, tailored to his individual needs;

2. Creating statistics that help to understand how Website Users use websites, which allows improving their structure and content;

3. Holding the Website User’s session (after logging in), thanks to which the User does not have to re-enter the login and password on each subpage of the Web-site;

4. The Website uses two basic types of cookies: “session” cookies and “persis-tent” cookies. Session cookies are temporary files that are stored on the User’s end device until logging out, leaving the website or turning off the software (web browser). Persistent cookies are stored on the User’s end device for the time specified in the cookie parameters or until they are deleted by the User.

The Website uses the following types of cookies:

1. “necessary” cookies, enabling the use of services available on the Website, e.g. authentication cookies used for services that require authentication on the Website;

2. cookies used to ensure security, e.g. used to detect fraud in the field of au-thentication on the Website;

3. “performance” cookies, enabling the collection of information on how to use the Website’s pages;

4. “functional” cookies, enabling “remembering” the settings selected by the Userand personalizing the User’s interface, eg in terms of the language or region of the User’s origin, font size, website appearance, etc .;

5. “advertising” cookies, enabling users to provide advertising content more tai-lored to their interests.

In many cases, the software used for browsing websites (web browser) by defaultallows cookies to be stored on the User’s end device. Website Users can change cookie settings at any time. These settings can be changed in particular in such away as to block the automatic handling of cookies in the web browser settings or to inform about them every time they are placed on the Website User’s device. Detailed information about the possibilities and ways of handling cookies is avail-able in the software (web browser) settings. The Website operator informs that restrictions on the use of cookies may affect some of the functionalities available on the Website. Cookies placed on the Website User’s end device can also be used by advertisers and partners cooperating with the Website operator.

Legal basis

The adoption of the procedure for obtaining consent for the use of cookies resultsfrom the provisions of the amended Telecommunications Law, which comes into force on March 22, 2013. This amendment is based on the general guidelines of the European Parliament, however, individual European Union countries develop specific provisions themselves. A similar amendment, which is now taking place in Poland, has already taken place in other European countries, such as Great Britain or France.

The most important change in the Telecommunications Law, both from the point of view of network users and entrepreneurs from the internet industry, is art. 173 regarding cookies. The purpose of this change is to increase Internet users’ awareness of the technologies used to guarantee content delivery better suited to their preferences and interests. The procedure in force since March 22 as-sumes the need for website owners to obtain Internet users’ consent for the stor-age and use of cookies. This consent can be expressed through the settings of the browser or application, in which case websites must inform Internet users in advance about the use of cookies.

The Association of Internet Industry Employers IAB Polska, out of concern for the efficient implementation of new regulations and taking care of the education of Internet users, has prepared a set of guidelines for websites helping them meet their new obligations, and created a website for Internet users www.wszystkooci-asteczkach.pl, which explains the mechanisms related to cookies.

The full text of the amended Telecommunications Law can be found at: http://www.dziennikustaw.gov.pl/DU/2012/1445