Cookie Policy
We use cookies for an optimal browsing experience. Therefore, we collect and use personal information such as your IP address, browser type, operating system and internet connection or collect and use information that becomes personal information if we combine it with other information.
Cookies, Browser Parameters
Cookies are often used to make websites or web services work, enable users to work more efficiently and provide reporting information. Cookies store information on your computer or mobile device, such as user preferences (e.g., language selected) and displayed positions on the website and other states. They are used to identify a returning visitor to the website as well as across different websites and analyse website usage. Our website contains our own cookies (first-party cookies) and cookies from external providers (third-party cookies).
First-party cookies are stored by our website domain directly. They allow us to collect analytics data and remember language settings to provide a good user experience.
Third-party cookies are created by domains other than the one the user is visiting at the time. They are used for cross-site tracking and ad-serving. These web analysis tools collect data about the website from which the individual visits the website (the “referrer”), the pages on the website that are accessed and how often and for how long a page is viewed. Website analysis is used to optimise the BRCCH website. If you wish to deactivate tracking, you will need to activate the“Do Not Track” setting in your browser settings.
Persistent cookies are cookies saved on your device and are not deleted automatically when you quit your browser. Session cookies are automatically deleted when you quit your browser. The first time you visit the BRCCH’s websites with a device never used before, you will be prompted to accept or refuse cookies.
How do we use cookies?
The BRCCH websites mostly use first-party cookies. The three types of first-party cookies we use help us:
- Store visitor preferences
- Make our website operational
- Gather analytics data (about user behaviour)
Visitor Preferences (Only Active with Consent)
These persistent cookies are set by us and only we can read them. They remember if you have agreed (or refused) to this site’s cookie policy and the preferred language of the content presented to you.
Operational Cookies (Always Active)
There are some cookies that we have to include to make certain webpage functions work properly, in particular, authentication cookies and technical cookies. For this reason, these session cookies do not require your consent.
Analytics Cookies (Only Active with Consent)
We use these kinds of cookies for internal research on how we can improve the service we provide for all our users. These session cookies assess how you interact with our website as an anonymous user. You are free to refuse these types of cookies, either via the cookie banner or by specific browser settings.
Third-Party Cookies (Only Active with Consent)
Some of our pages display content from external providers (e.g., YouTube). To view this third-party content, you have to accept their specific terms and conditions. This includes their cookie policies, which we have no control over. These providers may, at any time, change their terms of service, purpose and use of cookies, etc. If you do not view this content, no third-party cookies are installed on your device.
Third-party providers used on BRCCH websites:
- Google Maps
- YouTube
- Mailchimp
How can I manage and remove third-party cookies from my device?
Deleting Cookies
You can delete all cookies that are already on your device by clearing the browsing history of your browser. This will remove all cookies from all websites you have visited. Be aware though that you may also lose some saved information (e.g., saved login details, site preferences).
Managing Site-Specific Cookies
For more detailed control over site-specific cookies, check the privacy and cookie settings in your preferred browser.
Disabling Third-Party Cookies
Third-party cookies are blocked when a user does one or more of the following:
- Browse the web in private or incognito mode.
- Uses Safari as their web browser on Apple mobile devices, as it blocks third-party cookies by default.
- Changes the cookie and tracking settings in their browsers (detailed below).
- Installs ad-blockers or similar add-ons.
Most browsers allow users to disable third-party cookies from the settings menu. Doing so will make the ads less personalised but should not otherwise compromise the browsing experience.
Seeing which Cookies are Created when You Visit our Website
You can do this by installing a dedicated cookie-management browser plugin or by using the browser’s developer console.
What external cookies are used on your website?
Web Browser
Your internet browser can pass various parameters to web servers. These include your location, operating system, browser type and version, browser plug-ins, processor type, window size, screen size, colour depth and cookies. This data can be used to optimise the presentation of the BRCCH website. In your browser settings, you can prevent the disclosure of this information, but you may not be able to use some features of the site. You can also control the disclosure of this information automatically with a browser plug-in. The BRCCH website uses some of this information, but we always endeavour to collect and pass on as little data as possible depending on the functions required.
Below you will find a list of external providers who may collect browser data when you visit brc.ch. Embedded third-party content is blocked on our site unless the cookies are accepted by the user.
Google Analytics
This website uses Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google Inc. Google Analytics collects, processes and analyses data on the behaviour of visitors to websites. Among other things, data is collected about which website a visitor was referred from, which subpages were accessed and how often and for how long a page was visited. Web analysis is mainly used to optimise our website and for cost-benefit analysis. For this purpose, part of the IP address (front three bytes) and the parameters provided by your internet browser (depending on your internet browser settings) are transmitted to Google. Further information can be found here.
Embedded Videos
We use YouTube from Google Inc. to embed videos on our website. By using the technologies of these providers, we can ensure that video content works on different platforms and internet browsers. When you access or view the video content, the parameters provided by your internet browser (depending on your browser settings) are transmitted to the respective provider. For videos embedded from YouTube, we use the “advanced privacy mode.” Further information can be found here.
Mailchimp
We rely on Mailchimp for direct user communications from the BRCCH (e.g., newsletter). You have the option to subscribe to these emails through our website. The subscription page is hosted by Mailchimp and collects personal details on behalf of the BRCCH, including names and emails. The Mailchimp cookie policy is available here.
Google Forms
We use Google Forms, a survey service provided by Google Inc., to collect personal details such as names, emails and institutions. These pages are external to the BRCCH site and fall under Google’s cookie policy, which you can view here.
Zoom
We use Zoom for virtual event registration and hosting. This web platform collects personal details on behalf of the BRCCH, including names, emails and institutions. Zoom registration pages are external to the BRCCH website and fall under Zoom’s cookie policy, which you can view here.
How can I modify my cookie preferences?
You can change your cookie preferences anytime by clicking the above button. This will let you revisit the cookie consent banner and change your preferences or withdraw your consent right away.
In addition to this, different browsers provide different methods to block and delete cookies used by websites. You can change the settings of your browser to block/delete the cookies. Listed below are the links to the support documents on how to manage and delete cookies from the major web browsers.
If you are using any other web browser, please visit your browser’s official support documents
How often will this cookie statement be updated?
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect, for example, changes to the cookies we use or for other operational, legal or regulatory reasons. Please, therefore, re-visit this Cookie Policy regularly to stay informed about our use of cookies and related technologies. The date at the bottom of this Cookie Policy indicates when it was last updated.
Where can I get further information?
If you have any questions about our use of cookies or other technologies, please email us at contact@brc.ch. Further information about our Data Privacy Policy can be found here.
This Cookie Policy is effective as of 19.12.2023.