About cookies
What is a cookie?
A cookie is a small text file that contains data, placed on your computer or device by our website each time you visit it. The data contained within these tiny files are read each time your web browser requests a page from our web server and provides practical benefits to you by making access to our website a smoother experience than it otherwise would be.
Cookies are used by all websites, and have several different functions. At a basic level cookies will:
- Allow the site to work properly
- Help us understand how people use the website
Although we have always used cookies, following the changes in legislation by the EU Cookie directive, all websites are now required to provide additional information about them in terms of what they are and how they are being used on websites.
From May 2012, websites using cookies must gain consent of users before doing so, unless the cookies are strictly required for the site to operate or to satisfy a user request.
Some parts of the site may use cookies to remember your logged-in status (for logged-in users), and the current state of choices you have made. These are necessary for the operation of the site and they therefore fall under the exemption set out in the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) guidance.
There is an exception to the requirement to provide information about cookies and obtain consent where the use of the cookie is:
- For the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network;
- Where such storage or access is strictly necessary for the provision of an information society service requested by the subscriber or user.
The types of cookies we use
| Cookie names | Purpose |
|---|---|
|
_utma _utmb _utmc _utmz |
Analytics cookies. To provide information about your visit such as to count the number of unique visitors and see how much they move around the site. This helps us to know which areas of the site are most valued and how best to update the site in the future. |
Disabling cookies
If you do not wish to receive cookies from this website you can adjust your browser settings to refuse or screen cookies, you can find instructions on how to configure this within the majority of web browsers and versions at: AboutCookies.org
Contacting USS
If you have any queries in relation to the above you can email [email protected] or contact USS's data protection officer on 0151 227 4711.