1. Introduction
We and certain trusted service providers operating on our behalf collect information about your activity on the Sites using tracking technologies, including:
Cookies
Cookies are pieces of information that are stored directly on the device that you are using. They allow us to collect information such as the type of browser you are using, the amount of time you spend using the Services, the websites or applications you visit and the preferences you have set up for your accounts. We use this information for such purposes as to personalize your experience, enhance security, facilitate navigation, display material more efficiently, recognize the device that you are using to access the Sites and understand how the Sites are used. The Sites do not use cookies that capture unencrypted personal information about you.
You can choose to have your device refuse to accept any cookies, and the majority of devices and browsers offer additional privacy settings for cookies. You do this through your browser settings. Each device and each browser are a little different, so look at your device Settings or your browser Help menu to learn the correct way to modify your cookies. If you turn cookies off, you will not have access to many features that make your user experience more efficient and some of the Sites will not function properly. Please note that you will need to manage your cookie settings for each device and browser that you use.
Flash cookies
We may use local shared objects, sometimes known as Flash cookies, to store your preferences and to assist with online authentication by allowing us to recognize you and your device when you return to the Website or an Application. This permits us to display content based upon what you view on our websites and applications to personalize your use of the Services. Our advertisers and third-party service providers also may use Flash cookies to collect and store information. Flash cookies are different from browser cookies because of the amount and type of data, as well as how data is stored.
Cookie management tools provided by your device or browser will not remove Flash cookies. If you disable Flash cookies, you will not have access to many features that make your user experience more efficient and some of the Sites are unlikely to function properly.
Pixel tags, web beacons, clear GIFs and other similar technologies
These are typically small pieces of data that are embedded in images on the Site or certain e-mail communications.
They may involve the transmission of information directly to us, to another party on our behalf or to another party in accordance with its privacy policy. We may use these technologies to bring together information we collect about you.
Location tracking on mobile devices
Certain applications on mobile devices may transmit information to us about your location when you request information from them. We may use that information to improve the products and services we provide to you as well as improving our services generally in your area.
We use service providers such as Google Analytics and others, which use cookies and other similar technologies, to collect information about use of the Sites anonymously and report website trends, without identifying individual visitors.