In this notice, we explain how NS makes use of a variety of tracking technologies. The UK data protection legislation refers to these as cookies and similar technologies, as on-line identifiers. For the purposes of this notice, however, such technologies will only be referred to as cookies regardless of whether they do or do not contain any personal data. Our use of cookies improves the way in which you can view our website, it enhances our understanding of how you use it and may assist us in our marketing activities.
What are cookies?
Cookies are small files containing specific information relating, in general, to the way you view our website and are downloaded onto the device you are using to view it. Depending on the type of cookie, they can be read, updated or deleted by the same servers. Some cookies are session specific and get deleted automatically when you leave the website. Others, such as those used for tracking or authentication, may be saved for longer. Some of these cookies are put in place by NS whilst others may be put in place by third parties.
It is important to stress that NS makes no attempt to identify you when you visit our websites, unless it is in support of the detection and/or prevention of crime.
Cookies fall into the following categories:
•Strictly necessary cookies which are needed to ensure our websites fulfil their operational purpose for which your consent is not needed. Such cookies could be used to support secure log-in functionality for instance.
•Analytical/ performance cookies set up by our analytical providers are used to record pages visited and the frequency of any links used. In setting up such a cookie, the provider may collect other information about your device such as its IP address, its type and even its geographical location. Using this information, a unique ‘fingerprint’ can be created to help identify your device on other websites. This information can be used to create a profile of your activities and interests.
•Marketing cookies are used to track your on-line activities with the aim of getting a better understanding of your interests.
Non-essential cookies and consent
The analytical/ performance and marketing cookies (or equivalent) are not essential, but their use will enhance your user experience and/or enable us to improve our services. It is important to understand that you have a choice regarding the use of these cookies. These will only be ‘dropped’ with your consent, and we use a management platform to give you the option of accepting/ rejecting the cookies by their grouping. Please note that if you do enable the cookies, you can always disable them at any time by accessing the consent management platform.