COOKIE POLICY

Please read the following information carefully:

The security of your personal data is of utmost importance to us, therefore we pay particular attention to protecting the privacy of our website users in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (hereinafter “GDPR“).

We collect information from visitors to our website through the use of cookies to make our website more user-friendly, efficient and secure. The applicable legal framework provides that we may store cookies on your device if they are strictly technically necessary for the operation of this website. For all other types of cookies, we need your permission. Therefore, in order to comply with the legal requirements set out in the GDPR and the provisions of Law no. 506 of 17 November 2004 concerning the processing of personal data and privacy in the electronic communications sector, all visitors to our website are asked cookies consent before transmitting their computers.

The legal basis for using cookies is the website visitor’s consent, expressed through the appropriate browser or device settings, to allow cookies or to choose from our cookie banner settings. This consent can be revoked at any time. The cookies settings are in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f of the GDPR and are also based on our legitimate interest, insofar as it is absolutely necessary from a technical point of view for the use of the services offered, which visitors to the website have access to.

This website uses different types of cookies, own and third party cookies, to provide visitors with a much better browsing experience and services tailored to the preferences and interests of each user. While hosting our website, all data related to its operation is stored, being necessary to enable the functioning of the website. Thus, all data is processed based on our legitimate interests in accordance with Article 6 para. 1 lit. f of the GDPR, for the optimization of our website.

Cookies play an important role in facilitating access and delivery of many services the user enjoys on the internet, such as: customizing certain settings such as the language in which a website is viewed, accessing old preferences by clicking the “forward” and “back” button.

Cookies provide website owners with valuable feedback on how their websites are used by users, in order to make it even more effective and accessible to users.

What is a “cookie”?

An “Internet Cookie” (also known as a “browser cookie,” “HTTP cookie,” or simply “cookie“) is a small file of letters and numbers that will be stored on a user’s computer, mobile device, or other equipment from which the internet is accessed.

The cookie is installed through a web browser request from a browser (e.g. Internet Explorer, Chrome) and is completely “passive” (does not contain software, viruses or spyware and cannot access the information on the user’s hard drive).

A cookie consists of two parts: the name and the content or value of the cookie. Furthermore, the lifetime of a cookie is determined; technically, only the webserver that sent the cookie can access it again when a user returns to the associated website.

Cookies themselves do not require personal data in order to be used and, in most cases, do not personally identify internet users.

There are two main categories of cookies:

• Session Cookies (First-Party Cookies): These are temporarily stored in the web browser’s cookie folder to remember them until the user leaves the respective website or closes the browser window (e.g. when login/logout on a webmail account or social networks).
• Persistent Cookies: These are stored on the hard drive of a computer or device (and generally depend on the default lifetime of the cookie). Persistent cookies also include those placed by a website other than the one the user is currently visiting, known as “third-party cookies.”

What are the benefits of cookies?

A cookie contains information that links a web browser (the user) to a specific web server (the website). If a browser accesses that web server again, it can read the information already stored and react accordingly. Cookies ensure users to have a pleasant

and support the efforts of many websites to offer convenient services to users: e.g. online privacy preferences, website language options, shopping carts or relevant advertising.

What is the lifetime of a cookie?

Cookies are managed by web servers. The lifetime of a cookie can vary significantly, depending on the purpose for which it is placed. Some cookies are used exclusively for a single session (session cookies) and are no longer retained once the user has left the website, and some cookies are retained and reused each time the user returns to that website (persistent cookies). However, cookies can be deleted by a user at any time through browser settings.

What are third-party cookies?

Certain content sections on some websites may be provided through third parties/suppliers (e.g. a news box, a video or an advertisement). These third parties may also place cookies through the website and they are called “third party cookies” because they are not placed by the owner of the website in question and can be used anonymously to remember a user’s interests so that the most relevant advertising can be delivered to users. Third party providers must also comply with applicable law and the website owner’s privacy policies.

Performance cookies

This type of cookie retains the user’s preferences on the website, being no need to set them on each visit. Examples: volume settings for video player, video streaming speed compatible with the browser.

Cookies for Visitor Analytics

Each time a user visits a website, analytics software provided by a third party generates a user analytics cookie. This cookie indicates if the website has been visited before. The browser will signal the presence of this cookie, and a new one will be generated, if it doesn’t exist. It allows the tracking of unique users visiting the website and how often they do so.

As long as the visitor is not registered on the website, this cookie cannot be used to identify individuals, being only used for statistical purposes. If the visitor is registered, the provided details such as email address and username can be known- subject to confidentiality under GDPR provisions.

Cookies for geotargeting

These cookies are used by software to establish your country of origin. It is completely anonymous and is only used to target content – even when the visitor is on the page in Romanian or another language, they will receive the same advert.

Cookies for registration

When you register on a website, a cookie is generated to let you know whether you are registered or not. Servers use these cookies to display the account with which you are registered and if you have permission for a particular service. It is also allowed to associate any comment posted on the website with your username. If you have not selected “keep me logged in“, this cookie will be deleted automatically when you close your browser or computer.

What kind of information is stored and accessed through cookies?

Cookies store information in a small text file that allows a website to recognize a browser. The web-server will recognise the browser until the cookie expires or is deleted.

The cookie stores important information that enhances the browsing experience (e.g.: language settings for accessing a website, keeping a user logged in to a webmail account, online banking security, maintaining products in the shopping cart).

What cookies are used by socar.ro website?

Necessary Cookies

Necessary cookies help make a website usable by enabling basic functions such as page navigation and access to secure areas of the website. The website cannot function properly without these cookies. Use is based on our legitimate interest in providing a functional website.

Statistics cookies

Statistics cookies help website owners understand how visitors interact with websites by collecting and reporting information anonymously. Use only occurs with your consent and only as long as you have not disabled the cookie.

Socar.ro does not use marketing cookies and preference cookies.

Security and privacy issues

Cookies are NOT viruses! They use plain text formats. They are not made up of pieces of code, so they cannot be executed or can atuo-run. Consequently, they cannot duplicate or replicate on other networks to run or replicate again. Since they cannot perform these functions, they cannot be considered viruses.

Tips for safe and responsible cookie-based navigation

Customise your cookie browser settings to reflect a comfortable level for you on cookie security.

If you share your computer acces, you can consider the browser setting to delete your individual browsing data each time you close your browser. This is a way to access sites that place cookies and delete any information when you close the browsing session.

Install and constantly update antispyware applications. Many of the applications for detection and prevention of spyware include the detection of attacks on sites. This prevents the browser from accessing websites that could exploit browser vulnerabilities or download dangerous software.

How can I turn-off cookies?

You can set your browser to block all types of cookies, including necessary cookies. However, in this case, the website may not function properly. Also, disabling other types of cookies (other than necessary cookies) could affect the functionality or your experience when using the website.

All modern browsers provide the option to change cookie settings. These settings are usually found in the Options/Settings menu or in the Preferences/Favorites menu of your browser.

To understand these settings, the following links may be useful:

Cookie settings in Internet Explorer

Cookie settings in Firefox

Cookie settings in Chrome

Cookie settings in Safari

Also, if you have any questions about this policy, you can contact us using the details available in the Contact section or you can send a written request to the attention of the Data Protection Officer at dpo@socarpetroleum.ro

Date of last update: 28.12.2023