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About cookies

The technical details simplified

A cookie is a file containing an identifier (a string of letters and numbers) that is sent by a web server to a web browser, and stored by the browser. The identifier is then sent back to the server each time the browser requests a page from the server.

Cookies can be used by web servers to identity and track users as they navigate different pages on a website and to identify users returning to a website.

Cookies can't harm your computer.

“Persistent” cookies and “session” cookies

A persistent cookie consists of a text file sent by a web server to a web browser, which will be stored by the browser and will remain valid until its set expiry date (unless deleted by the user before the expiry date). A session cookie, on the other hand, will expire at the end of the user session, when the web browser is closed.

How we use cookies

Cookies do not contain any information that personally identifies you, but personal information that we store about you may be linked, by us, to the information stored in and obtained from cookies.

We may use the information we obtain from your use of our cookies for the following purposes:

  • To recognise your computer when you visit our website
  • To track you as you navigate our website, and to enable the use of the member, community and transaction features on our website
  • To improve the website’s usability
    To prevent fraud and improve the security of the website
  • To personalise our website for you, including targeting content which may be of particular interest to you.

Third party cookies

When you use our website, you may also be sent third party cookies.

Our service providers may send you cookies. They may use the information they obtain from your use of their cookies:

  • To track your browser across multiple websites
  • To build a profile of your web surfing
  • To target advertisements which may be of particular interest to you.

In addition, we use well known analytics software to analyse the use of this website. The programmes generate statistical and other information about website use by means of cookies, which are stored on users' computers. The information generated relating to our website is used to create reports about the use of the website.

Necessary cookies 

Necessary cookies let you use all the different parts of the web site. Their uses cover:

  • Logging in to the site
  • Personalising content
  • Remembering security settings which restrict access to certain content
  • Remembering information entered during membership sign-up and renewal, updating membership information and booking events
  • Remembering cookie opt-in and opt-out choices

Analytics cookies 

We use tools from Google and Hotjar to help us improve and understand how people use our web site.

You can opt-out of analytics cookies at any time by clicking on the cookie control icon in the bottom left-hand corner of your screen.

We have embedded YouTube videos using YouTube’s own privacy option “no cookie”. YouTube will only add a cookie when you play an embedded video on our site. This cookie does not store personally-identifiable information.   

Marketing cookies 

We use tools from Facebook to measure the effectiveness of and improve our online marketing.

You can opt-out of marketing cookies at any time by clicking on the cookie control icon in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen.

Blocking cookies

Most browsers allow you to refuse to accept cookies.

Blocking all cookies will, however, have a negative impact upon the usability of many websites. If you block cookies, you will not be able to access member content and advice, book events, purchase products, manage your membership or participate in community features on this website.

Do not track (DNT) is a feature offered by some browsers, with some newer browsers offering it as default. If you enable it, it sends a signal to websites to request that your browsing isn't tracked, for example by third party ad or social networks, or analytic companies.

Deleting cookies

You can also delete cookies already stored on your computer. Please be aware that doing this may have a negative impact on the usability of many websites.

Internet Explorer

You must manually delete cookie files (you can find instructions for doing so at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/278835 as it will depend on your version)

Firefox

You can delete cookies by, first ensuring that cookies are to be deleted when you “clear private data” (this setting can be changed by clicking Tools, Options and Settings in the Private Data box) and then clicking Clear private data in the Tools menu.

Chrome

You can delete cookies by clicking More in the top right, then click Click More tools Clear browsing data. At the top, choose a time range. To delete everything, select All time. Next to Cookies and Other Site Data and Cached Images and Files check the boxes. Click Clear data.

Safari

You can manage cookies by going to the 'Settings' application from your home screen, clicking/tapping on the 'Safari' menu item, then under the 'Privacy & Security' section tap on the 'Block cookies' menu item. Select any option other than 'Always block'.

Contact us

If you have any questions about our cookies or this cookies policy, please contact us by email to digital@bda.org, or by post to Digital Team, BDA, 64 Wimpole Street, London W1G8YS.