Cookies policy

v3.0 – 22 July 2025

This “Cookie Policy” forms an integral part of the “General Terms & Conditions of Use”, to be consulted here. All definitions and conditions provided therein are also applicable in this Cookie Policy.

 

Cookies

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies (hereinafter: "Cookies")in order to simplify the use of this website, to make the website operate as intended and expected, to enhance security, to measure and analyse performance of our website and/or to obtain information that can help WOSM improve the functioning, content and presentation of this website. 

Cookies are small files stored in your browser, often including unique identifiers, that are sent by web servers to web browsers and stored in directories designed for that purpose on the user’s computer. These cookies may then be sent back to the server each time the browser requests a page from the server. Cookies can be used by web servers to identity and track visitors as they navigate different pages on a website, and to identify visitors returning to a website. Cookies contain certain information on you, your end-user device, your behaviour or your preferences. Even though most of the information may not identify you directly, it may be pseudonymous or may otherwise identify you indirectly.

Cookies may be either “first-party” or “third-party” cookies. 

  • First-party cookies are deployed by WOSM. 

  • Third-party cookies are deployed by other parties or on their responsibility.

First-party cookies are set by WOSM to enhance website functionality and user experience. Third-party cookies, such as those from Google Analytics, are set by external service providers to help analyze website traffic and user behaviour. These third parties may process data, including IP addresses and browsing activity, for their own purposes,

We do not sell or share personal data collected through cookies with third parties for marketing purposes. However, some analytics providers, such as Google, may store and process cookie-related data outside the European Economic Area (EEA), subject to their own privacy policies. 

You can review their privacy policies and manage your preferences directly via our Cookie Preferences Center.

WOSM does not use marketing, targeting or retargeting cookies.

Cookies may be either “persistent” cookies or “session” cookies. 

  • A persistent cookie consists of a text file sent by a web server to a web browser, which is stored for a predetermined period unless deleted by the user..

  • A session cookie on the other hand, expires at the end of the user session, when the web browser is closed. 

Below is an overview of the retention periods for different cookie types used on our website:

  • Strictly necessary cookies (essential for website functionality) - stored for up to 12 months

  • Functional cookies (enhance user experience) - stored for up to 12 months

  • Analytic cookies (track website performance and usage) - stored for up to 24 months

  • Third-Party cookies – retention period depends on the third party’s policy

Cookies may be either “technically necessary” cookies, which enable the proper functioning of  our website, or “functional” cookies, which enhance user experience by enabling requested services.  In both cases, these cookies are processed based on our legitimate interest (Article 6(1)(f) of GDPR) or contractual necessity (Article 6(1)(b) GDPR) where applicable.  All other cookies, including analytics/performance, marketing, and social media cookies, require your explicit, prior, and informed consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR), which can be provided through our cookie consent banner.

 

Similar Technologies

In addition to cookies, our website uses technologies that store or access information on or from the end-user device. . These technologies  include fingerprinting, tracking pixels, social plugins, apps, local share objects (or flash cookies), web beacons and tags. These tools help us analyse website usage, enhance security, and provide a more personalised experience. Some of these technologies, such as fingerprinting and tracking pixels, can be used for identifying users when cookies are disabled. Therefore, we require your explicit consent before deploying these technologies, except where they are strictly necessary for website functionality. You can review and manage these settings through our Cookie Preferences Center.

Cookies on this Site

The website uses both persistent and session cookies. The cookies used are meant to recognise visitors when revisiting the website, some of their surfing preferences, their origin or traffic source and to keep certain traffic statistics. 

The following cookies may be sent to your web browser: 

- Cookies from the Site: authenticated login, use of Javascript, choice of language, country of origin, browser and interface settings 

- Uservoice Cookies: session ID, timezone, analytics, tracking of logged in state, information update check, reminder for keeping you logged in 

- Google Analytics Cookies: users and sessions, new sessions/visits, interoperability with urchin.js, traffic source of the user, custom variable data

 

Consent

Upon your first visit to the website, you will be asked to agree to the use of (certain categories of) cookies through a cookie consent banner. Your consent will be recorded and stored securely to ensure compliance with applicable data protection laws.  You can modify or withdraw your consent at any time through our Cookie Preferences Center, applicable via a permanent link in the website footer. Changes to consent will be applied immediately and will not affect the lawfulness of processing based on prior consent. If you decline certain cookies, some website functionalities may be limited or unavailable. 

 

Cookie settings

You have full control over your cookie preferences and may withdraw or modify your consent at any time. In addition to adjusting your browser settings, you can manage your cookie preferences through our Cookie Preferences Center, accessible via a permanent link in the website footer.  Most web browsers may be set to show a warning message every time before accepting cookies or to only accept cookies from certain websites. Changes to your consent settings will take effect immediately and will not affect the lawfulness of prior data processing. Please note that declining certain cookies may impact website functionality and user expereince.

Cookies that have already been saved before, may also be deleted at any time. 

For technical instructions on how to handle cookies, please consult the settings and preferences page or tab of the web browser. 

 

We give you guidance with regard to the most common web browsers:

  • Microsoft Edge

  1. Click the ellipsis (…) icon at the browser's top-right corner.
  2. Select Settings.
  3. Choose Cookies and site permissions.
  4. Under the Cookies and data stored section, select your preferred option:
    • Allow sites to save and read cookie data (recommended), or
    • Block third-party cookies, or
    • Block all cookies (not recommended).

For more detailed guidance, please visit Microsoft’s Help Center

 

  • Apple Safari

On macOS:

  1. From the Safari menu at the top-left corner, select Preferences.
  2. Click the Privacy tab.
  3. Manage your cookie preferences using the options provided, such as:
    • Prevent cross-site tracking, or
    • Block all cookies (not recommended).

On iOS:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Scroll down and select Safari.
  3. Under Privacy & Security, adjust cookie settings as needed:
    • Toggle Block All Cookies to off (recommended).

For more detailed guidance, please visit Apple’s Safari Help.

 

  • Google Chrome

  1. Click the three dots icon (⋮) at the top-right corner of your browser.
  2. Select Settings.
  3. From the left menu, choose Privacy and security.
  4. Click Cookies and other site data.
  5. Choose your preferred cookie settings, such as:
    • Allow all cookies (recommended),
    • Block third-party cookies, or
    • Block all cookies (not recommended).

For more detailed guidance, please visit Google Chrome Help Center.

 

  • Firefox

  1. Click the three horizontal lines (≡) at the top-right corner of your browser.
  2. Select Settings.
  3. Click on Privacy & Security in the left sidebar.
  4. Under Cookies and Site Data, manage cookie preferences:
    • Click Manage Data… to view or remove cookies individually.
    • Click Manage Exceptions… to set cookie exceptions.
    • Select Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed if preferred.

For more detailed guidance, please visit Firefox’s Help Center.

 

Declining, blocking, deleting or otherwise disabling cookies on the website may have a negative impact on the full experience of the website as some functions on the website may be limited or unavailable. As a result, accepting cookies on the website is recommended to make it easier to use the website.

 

Contact

If you have questions regarding the use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact privacymatters@scout.org