Last Updated: November 2025
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, smartphone, tablet, or other internet-connected device) when you visit a website. Cookies allow websites to recognize your device and store information about your browsing preferences, session information, and other data to enhance user experience.
Types of cookies include:
- Session cookies: Deleted when you close your browser
- Persistent cookies: Remain on your device until manually deleted or until they expire
- First-party cookies: Set by the website you’re visiting
- Third-party cookies: Set by external services embedded on the website
2. Why We Use Cookies
We use cookies to:
- Ensure the Website functions properly
- Remember your preferences and settings
- Understand how visitors use the Website
- Improve Website performance and user experience
- Analyze traffic patterns
- Facilitate communication with you
- Protect the Website from misuse and fraud
- Support marketing and analytics initiatives
3. Types of Cookies Used on Our Website
3.1 Essential/Strictly Necessary Cookies
What they do: Enable core Website functionality
Examples:
- Session management
- User authentication
- Form data retention
- Security functions
- Language preferences
Duration: Per session or up to 1 year Consent Required: No (these are necessary for the Website to function) Can be disabled: Not recommended, as this may impact Website functionality
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration | Provider |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHPSESSID | Maintains user session | Per session | Web Server |
| wordpress_logged_in | WordPress user login | 14 days | WordPress |
| wordpress_sec | WordPress security | 14 days | WordPress |
| cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary | Records necessary cookie consent | 1 year | Website |
3.2 Performance and Analytics Cookies
What they do: Collect information about how visitors use the Website
Purpose:
- Track page views
- Monitor visitor numbers
- Analyze traffic sources
- Understand which features are most used
- Identify technical issues
Duration: Up to 26 months Consent Required: Yes (optional cookies) Can be disabled: Yes, through browser settings or our consent management tool
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration | Provider |
|---|---|---|---|
| _ga | Google Analytics – Distinguish unique users | 2 years | Google Analytics |
| _gat | Google Analytics – Limit request rate | 1 minute | Google Analytics |
| _gid | Google Analytics – Current session tracking | 24 hours | Google Analytics |
| _ga_XXXXXXXXXX | Google Analytics 4 – Session tracking | 2 years | Google Analytics |
3.3 Preference and Functionality Cookies
What they do: Remember your choices and settings
Purpose:
- Remember language selection
- Store display preferences
- Maintain layout preferences
- Remember user choices
Duration: Up to 1 year Consent Required: No (for basic functionality) Can be disabled: Yes
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration | Provider |
|---|---|---|---|
| pll_language | Language preference | 1 year | Website |
| cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional | Functional cookies consent | 1 year | Website |
3.4 Marketing and Third-Party Cookies
What they do: Track user behavior for marketing purposes
Purpose:
- Retargeting advertisements
- Social media integration
- Marketing campaign analysis
- Cross-site tracking
Platforms that may set cookies:
- YouTube (video embedding)
- Facebook (social media integration)
- Instagram (social media content)
- LinkedIn (professional content)
- Google Ads
- Other third-party services
Duration: Varies (typically 1 month to 2 years) Consent Required: Yes (optional) Can be disabled: Yes
4. Third-Party Services and Embedded Content
The Website integrates with third-party services that may place cookies:
4.1 YouTube
- Purpose: Video embedding and analytics
- Cookies: YouTube player cookies
- Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
- Opt-out: https://myaccount.google.com/
4.2 Google Analytics
- Purpose: Website traffic analysis
- Cookies: _ga, _gat, _gid, and related analytics cookies
- Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
- Opt-out: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
4.3 Social Media Platforms
- Purpose: Social media integration and sharing
- Platforms: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram
- Privacy Policies: Available on respective platforms
- Opt-out: Check your account privacy settings
4.4 WordPress and Plugins
- Purpose: Website functionality and features
- Cookies: Various cookies set by WordPress and its plugins
- Documentation: Available in WordPress settings
5. Cookie Consent and Management
5.1 Consent Banner
When you first visit the Website, you will see a cookie consent banner that informs you about our cookie usage. You have the following options:
- Accept All: Accept all cookies, including optional ones
- Reject: Reject all optional cookies (essential cookies will still be used)
- Manage Preferences: Customize which cookie categories you accept
5.2 Withdrawing or Changing Consent
You can change your cookie preferences at any time by:
- Visiting our cookie preferences page (link available in footer)
- Clearing your browser cookies and resetting preferences
- Contacting us directly
Changes take effect immediately.
6. How to Control and Manage Cookies
6.1 Browser-Based Cookie Control
Most modern browsers allow you to control cookies. Instructions for popular browsers:
Google Chrome:
- Click the menu icon (three dots) in the top-right corner
- Select “Settings”
- Click “Privacy and security” in the left menu
- Select “Cookies and other site data”
- Choose your preferred settings
Mozilla Firefox:
- Click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner
- Select “Preferences”
- Click “Privacy & Security”
- Under “Cookies and Site Data,” choose your settings
Apple Safari:
- Click “Safari” in the top menu
- Select “Preferences”
- Click the “Privacy” tab
- Under “Cookies and website data,” choose your preferred setting
Microsoft Edge:
- Click the menu icon (three dots) in the top-right corner
- Select “Settings”
- Click “Privacy, search, and services”
- Under “Clear browsing data,” manage cookie settings
6.2 Third-Party Opt-Out Tools
- Google Analytics Opt-Out: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
- Network Advertising Initiative (NAI): http://optout.networkadvertising.org/
- Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA): http://optout.aboutads.info/
- Your Online Choices: http://www.youronlinechoices.eu/
6.3 Do Not Track (DNT)
Some browsers include a “Do Not Track” feature. If enabled, the Website may respect this preference, though implementation varies across websites.
7. Impact of Disabling Cookies
Essential Cookies: Disabling these may prevent the Website from functioning properly, including:
- Inability to log in
- Forms may not work
- Session information may not be saved
- Website may be slower
Optional Cookies: Disabling these will not significantly impact Website functionality, but may affect:
- Personalization features
- Analytics data collection
- Marketing functionality
8. Cookie Lifespan
The following chart summarizes typical cookie duration:
| Cookie Type | Duration | Persistence |
|---|---|---|
| Session Cookies | Per browser session | Temporary |
| Persistent Essential Cookies | Up to 1 year | Longer-term |
| Analytics Cookies | Up to 26 months | Long-term |
| Marketing Cookies | 1 month to 2 years | Variable |
9. Security of Cookie Data
- Cookie data is encrypted during transmission via HTTPS
- Sensitive information is not stored in cookies
- Cookies are regularly monitored for unauthorized access
- Expired cookies are automatically deleted
10. International Users and GDPR Compliance
This Cookie Policy complies with GDPR requirements. If you are located outside the EU/EEA:
- Your data is still protected by GDPR standards while using our Website
- We implement appropriate safeguards for international data transfers
- You have the same rights as EU users
11. Children and Cookies
The Website is not intentionally directed to children under 16. If you are under 16:
- Do not accept cookies without parental consent
- Parents/guardians can contact us to manage children’s cookie settings
12. Updates to This Cookie Policy
We may update this policy to reflect:
- Changes in cookie technologies
- New cookies we implement
- Legal requirement changes
- Service provider updates
Changes will be posted on this page with an updated date. Significant changes will be communicated via email if you’ve subscribed to our services.
13. Your Rights Regarding Cookies
Under GDPR, you have the right to:
- Know what cookies are used
- Understand how they’re used
- Accept or reject non-essential cookies
- Change your preferences at any time
- Request information about cookies
- Lodge a complaint with data protection authorities
14. Contact Us
If you have questions about our cookie practices:
Email: Use the contact form at inesctecocean.pt/contact
Data Protection Authority:
- Portugal: Comissão Nacional da Proteção de Dados (CNPD) – https://www.cnpd.pt/
- EU: Your local data protection authority
15. Third-Party Cookie Policies
For more information about cookies from third-party services:
- Google Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
- YouTube Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
- Facebook Privacy Policy: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/explanation
- LinkedIn Privacy Policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy
Important Notes:
- Accepting cookies is not mandatory to use the Website, but some features may not work optimally
- Essential cookies will be used regardless of your preferences (as they are necessary for Website function)
- You can change your consent at any time
- Third-party cookies are subject to those providers’ policies, not this Cookie Policy
Last Updated: November 2025 Version: 1.0