Cookie use

Functional cookies, analytical cookies and tracking cookies Cookies are small files that a website places on your computer, smartphone or tablet during your visit to the website.

Functional cookies Functional cookies are necessary for the proper functioning of a website. For example, they remember your password and your preferences, such as the language in which you want to read the website. They also remember which article you have placed in a shopping cart in a webshop. And they monitor how you browse the website. With this information, the website owner can analyze and improve the functioning of the website. He may not use the data to, for example, draw up a profile of the internet use of your website visitor.

A website does not have to ask for permission to place functional cookies. However, the owner of a website must inform the website visitors in a privacy statement about the use of functional cookies on the site. For example, what the cookie is used for and whether other parties also have access to the data collected by the cookie.

Analytical cookies Analytical cookies measure website visits, with which the owner can improve his website. Consider the number of visitors and the most visited web pages. Many people use Google Analytics for this.

If the data is anonymized, the website owner is not obliged to post a cookie notification about analytical cookies. However, he must mention the use of analytical cookies in the privacy statement.

Tracking cookies Tracking cookies track visits to the website in order to build a profile of website visitors. Based on this, they can optimize the website or display advertisements tailored to you. Tracking cookies are not necessary for a website to work properly.

The Telecom Act requires the owner of a website to ask for permission to place these so-called tracking cookies. For example, a screen or pop-up may appear on your screen with information about the cookies with the request to click on agree. Or it says that you agree as soon as you start using the website. You are free to decide whether or not to give permission. Furthermore, the use of tracking cookies must be stated in a privacy statement.

No permission If you do not give permission, not all functionalities may work during your visit to the website. For example, you may not be able to share an article via your social media. If you visit a website of a government agency, it cannot deny you access to the website if you do not want cookies. Other websites are not obliged to give you access to the website if you refuse cookies. But the regulator Autoriteit Consument & Markt (ACM) does encourage websites to look for a solution for people who refuse cookies and who still want to view the website.

Permission If you do give permission, the website usually stores this permission in a cookie. The permission then applies as long as this permission cookie is on your computer, tablet or smartphone. How long the cookie will be stored on your equipment is indicated when consent is requested. You do not have to give permission for every repeat visit to a website. The consent cookie has already remembered that you have given your consent.

You can also withdraw your consent. For example by removing the cookie from your computer, tablet or smartphone. This means that on your next visit to the website, you must again be asked for permission to place cookies.