What is a cookie?
A cookie, also known as a browser cookie, is a text file containing small amounts of information which a server may download to your computer, mobile or tablet when you visit a website or use an app.
There are different types of cookies which are used to do different things, such as letting you navigate between different pages on a website efficiently, remembering preferences you have given and helping us to identify ways to improve your overall site experience. Others are used to measure the number of site visits and the most popular pages users visit.
‘First party’ and ‘third party’ cookies
Each type of cookie can be set and controlled by the operator of the website which the user is browsing such as Bupa (known as a ‘first party cookie’) or a third party such as Facebook, for example to display advertisements and social sharing features, (known as a ‘third party cookie’).
Due to their core role of enhancing and enabling usability or site processes, disabling certain cookies may prevent you from using certain aspects of the Bupa website.
Broadly speaking, there are two different types of browser cookie:
(1) Session cookies are stored in the computer's memory during a user's browsing session and are automatically deleted from the user's computer when the browser is closed or the session is deemed to have ended.
These cookies usually store a session ID that is not personally identifiable to users, allowing the user to move from page to page without having to log-in repeatedly. They are widely used by commercial web sites; for example to keep track of items that a consumer has added to a shopping basket.
Session cookies do not collect any information from the user's computer and they expire at the end of the user's browser session. They can also become inaccessible after the session has been inactive for a specified length of time, usually 20 or 30 minutes.
(2) Persistent cookies are stored on the user's computer and are not deleted when the browser is closed. Persistent cookies can be used to retain user preferences for a particular website, allowing those preferences to be used in future browsing sessions.
Persistent cookies usually assign a unique ID to the user’s browser and they are usually configured to identify a user for a prolonged period of time, from days to months or even years.
How does Bupa use cookies?
Bupa only uses browser cookies to measure non-personal information, for example to learn about the behaviour of visitors to our website and how they respond to our marketing communications. The more we learn, the better we are able to provide relevant and interesting content and services. The first party cookies set by Bupa do not contain any personally identifiable information.
What cookies does Bupa use on this website?
A list of all the types of cookies used on this website is set out below.
Strictly necessary cookies
'Strictly necessary' cookies let you move around the website and use essential features. Examples include session cookies, which identify you as the same user as you move from page to page and only last for the duration of your visit. These cookies don't gather any information about you that could be used for marketing or remembering where you've been on the internet. Accepting these cookies is a condition of using the website, however, as they are required for the proper operation of the website. If you prevent them, we cannot guarantee how it will perform.
Analytics cookies /Performance cookies
We use these cookies to collect information about how visitors use our website, including details of the site where the visitor has come from and the total number of times a visitor has been to our website. By using our website, you agree that we can place these types of cookies on your device. We use the information to improve our website and enhance the experience of its visitors. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous.
Application or site specific cookies /Functionality cookies
These cookies remember choices you make to improve your experience. By using the website, you agree that we can place these types of cookies on your device.
These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make (such as your user name, language or the region you are in) and provide enhanced, more personal features. These cookies can also be used to remember changes you have made to text size, fonts and other parts of web pages that you can customise. They may also be used to provide services you have asked for such as watching a video or commenting on a blog. The information these cookies collect may be anonymised and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites.
Targeting – Social sharing cookies
Social media websites use these cookies to improve the user experience with regards to sharing content within their platforms.
This policy does not cover the use of third party cookies. This will be covered by that third party’s privacy policies and practice and we would recommend that you take a look at these which in most cases will be found on that company’s website.
Which 1st party cookies does this site use?
| Cookie | Name | Purpose |
| Bupa | JsessionID | This cookie is used in order to enable the site to function correctly and we regard its use as essential. |
Which 3rd party cookies does this site use?
We use various persistent cookies for some of the above reasons. Here are some of the most important ones, although this is not a comprehensive list.
| Cookie | Name | Purpose | More Information |
| The following cookies are focused on web analytics and helping us improve our understanding of visitors and their site usage | |||
| Adobe Omniture | s_vi s_cc s_nr s_sq s_ppv s_lastvisit s_ev2 s_campaign Mbox gpv_p51 |
his cookie is used to identify a unique visitor Set and read to determine if cookies are 'enabled' Set and read to determine if someone is a new or repeat visitor Determines where someone clicks on a bupa page Measures what percentage of the previous page was viewed Records when the visitor last came to the site Records clicks on internal promotions or banners Records clicks on campaigns on other sites which link to Bupa To enable testing of different creative options and page designs |
Go to the Adobe Omniture website |
| The following cookies are focused on social sharing | |||
| datr locale lu |
These cookies are used to collect information about how users share content from our site. | Click here for an overview of privacy at Facebook | |
| _twitter_sess guest_id k pid twll |
These cookies are used to collect information about how users share content from our site. | Click here for an overview of privacy at Twitter | |
| addthis | uvc loc psc ssc ssh sshs uid uit user_segment |
These cookies are used to collect information about how users share content from our site. | Click here for an overview of privacy at addthis |
How can you control the use of cookies?
Your use of the website constitutes your consent to this website setting cookies on your device.
If you do not wish the website to set cookies on your device then you should either not use the site, or you should browse the site using your browser’s anonymous usage setting (called “Incognito” in Chrome, “InPrivate” in Internet Explorer, "Private Browsing" in Firefox and Safari)]. This will mean that the site will continue to drop cookies and your visit to the site will be as normal. Once you leave the site, all cookies dropped will be destroyed.
Alternatively, the ‘Help’ menu on the menu bar of most browsers will tell you how to prevent your browser from accepting new cookies, how to have the browser notify you when you receive a new cookie and how to disable cookies altogether. However, because cookies allow you to take advantage of some of the website's essential features, we recommend you leave them turned on.
A guide to behavioural advertising and online privacy has been produced by the Internet advertising industry which can be found at www.youronlinechoices.eu. The guide contains an explanation of the IAB's self-regulatory scheme to allow you greater control of the advertising you see.
Learn more about cookies
To find out more about cookies, search in Google or visit aboutcookies.org or allaboutcookies.org (which is run by the Internet Advertising Bureau Europe).
