The use of cookies on websites
This document explains "what cookies are" and the types of cookies used on our website.
What are cookies?
A cookie is a simple text file which is stored on the user’s computer or mobile device by the server of a website and can be read or accessed from the same server. The file contains some information and allows the website to record the user’s preferences for example. The Electronic Communications Directive and the Provision issued by the Italian Data Protection Authority no. 229 of 8 May 2014 on "Simplified Arrangements to Provide Information and Obtain Consent Regarding Cookies", states that the use of cookies is authorised only with the permission of the user.
Do we use cookies on our website?
Yes. Cookies are used to improve the quality of our website, and to provide services and features for users. The use of cookies can be limited and disabled through the user’s web browser. However, some of the website’s functions may not be available if cookies are limited or disabled.
Why we use cookies
Cookies can be used for many different reasons. In some parts of our site cookies are essential, and without them users cannot, for example, correctly browse the site or the directories. We are always looking for ways to improve our website and to better publicise our services. In order to do this, it is important for us to understand how our website is used. Cookies help us also to provide a better and richer experience: if the user finds something interesting, he or she can "Like" it on Facebook, or tweet it (cookies make this feature possible).
What types of cookies are used on our website?
Technical cookies
Technical cookies are used only to "carry out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network, or as strictly necessary to provide an information society service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user to provide the service" (see art. 122, paragraph 1, of the Italian Privacy Code).
They are not used for other purposes and are normally installed directly by the owner or operator of the website. They can be subdivided into:
Navigation or session cookies
These are used to register useful data on normal browsing and how the website is used on the user’s computer (allowing, for example, to record the preferred page dimensions in a list). Such cookies can also be different from one other in how long they stay on the user’s computer: those that are automatically deleted when the browser is closed are called session cookies. If they have a longer lifespan however, they are called permanent cookies.
Functional cookies
These cookies allow the website to record information about the choices made by the user in order to tailor the website to the user’s needs. For example, functional cookies allow the website to record the user’s specific settings, such as the country selected and, if set up, permanent access.
Name of cookie | Purpose of cookie |
__RequestVerificationToken_ | The name of the cookie is followed by a random sequence of characters (for example: ‘’__RequestVerificationToken_L09yY2hhcmQuV2Vi0’’). This is an anti-falsification token, which protects the site from false requests coming from other sites. The cookie is automatically deleted when the browser is shut. |
__analyse | Records if you have opted out of the registration of Google Analytics cookies. It lasts for one hour. |
displayCookieConsent | Records that you have enabled the use of cookies. It lasts for one year. |
cultureData | Records the language setting that you have chosen for browsing. It lasts for one year. |
Analytical cookies
These cookies gather data on the user’s use of the website, including the items which are clicked on whilst browsing, in order to improve the services and the design of the site. They can be shared with our third party suppliers of analysis tools. However, our analytical cookies are used solely for the purposes of our website.
Third party cookies
These cookies are linked to services provided by third parties, such as the "Like" and "Share" features, and they monitor the effectiveness of the advertising. The third party provides these services in exchange for information on the user’s visit on our site. This means that third party suppliers of the cookies must also respect the regulations in place. For this reason, we have referenced links to the third-party sites, where the user will be able to find data collection forms authorised to the cookies and their information. If the services were provided through indirect contact with the third parties, the user will have to visit the sites that are intermediaries between us and the third parties.
Name of cookie | Purpose of cookie |
uid | Created and used by the widget AddThis to allow the sharing of content on the most popular social sites. It lasts for two years. |
uvc | Created and used by the widget AddThis to allow the sharing of content on the most popular social sites. It lasts for two years. |
__atuvc | Created and used by the widget AddThis to allow the sharing of content on the most popular social sites. A regularly-updating counter that calculates the number of items shared by the user. It lasts for two years. |
__atuvs | Created and used by the widget AddThis to allow the sharing of content on the most popular social sites. Ensures that the user can view the regularly-updated count if he or she shares a page with the social sharing App AddThis. It lasts for thirty minutes. |
dc_gtm_UA-27992556-1 | Created and used by Google Analytics to keep track of the number of times a user visits a specific site. It also records the first and last date of visit. Moreover, it calculates when a session finishes, which country the user is in, and identifies key words. It lasts for ten minutes. |
_ga | Created and used by Google Analytics. It keeps track, anonymously, of the pages visited and produces data that we use to monitor the site’s use and to improve the quality of service that we offer to our users. It lasts for two years. |
CONSENT | Used by Google to detect if the visitor has accepted the marketing category in the cookie banner. This cookie is necessary for GDPR-compliance of the website. It lasts for 20 years. |
SIDCC | Secure cookie used by Google to protect user data from unauthorized access. It lasts for one year. |
_gid | Registers a unique ID that is used to generate statistical data on how the visitor uses the website. Used by Google. It lasts for one day. |
__Secure-3PAPISID | Used by Google for targeting purposes to build a profile of the website visitor's interests in order to show relevant & personalised Google advertising. It lasts for two years. |
__Secure-3PSID | Used by Google for targeting purposes to build a profile of the website visitor's interests in order to show relevant & personalised Google advertising. It lasts for two years. |
__Secure-3PSIDCC | Used by Google for targeting purposes to build a profile of the website visitor's interests in order to show relevant & personalised Google advertising. It lasts for one year. |
APISID | Created and used by Youtube for watching video clips. It lasts for two years. |
GALX | Created and used by Youtube for watching video clips. It is automatically deleted when the browser is shut. |
GAPS | Created and used by Youtube for watching video clips. It lasts for two years. |
GoogleAccountLocale_session | Created and used by Youtube for watching video clips. It is automatically deleted when the browser is shut. |
HSID | Created and used by Youtube for watching video clips. It lasts for two years. |
NID | Created and used by Youtube for watching video clips. It lasts for six months. |
PREF | Created and used by Youtube for watching video clips. It lasts for two years. |
S | Created and used by Youtube for watching video clips. It is automatically deleted when the browser is shut. |
SAPISID | Created and used by Youtube for watching video clips. It lasts for two years. |
SID | Created and used by Youtube for watching video clips. It lasts for two years. |
SSID | Created and used by Youtube for watching video clips. It lasts for two years. |
_fbp | Created and used by Facebook for Pixel campaigns. It lasts for three 3 months |
How can cookies be disabled or removed?
The majority of browsers accept the use of cookies automatically, but you can also choose to not accept them. We do not advise you do this, as it could prevent normal browsing and not allow you to use all of the site’s features. If you do not want your computer to receive and store cookies, you can change the security settings of your browser (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Safari etc.). However, you will notice that certain parts of our site can be used in their entirety only if your browser accepts cookies; otherwise, you will not be able to, for example, access confidential areas. Therefore, your choice to remove and not accept cookies will negatively impact your visit of our site. If you wish to change the settings of your cookies, by changing browser settings, found below are some brief explanations on how to do so on the major browsers.
Facebook conversion pixels
It is used to monitor conversions that occur on the website as a result of active ads on Facebook. Facebook compares the conversion event with the group of people to whom the advertisement was shown or who clicked on it in order to provide useful information to understand the progress of the advertising campaign.
To disable this cookie, go to the following page.https://www.facebook.com/help/cookies/