Cookies Policy

What is a cookie?

During the course of any visit to our websites, the pages which you see, along with something called a cookie, are downloaded to your computer. Most, if not all, websites do this, and that’s because cookies allow the website publisher to do useful things like find out whether the computer (and probably its user) has visited the site before. This is done on a repeat visit by checking for a cookie from a previous visit. 

So – what is a cookie? When you enter a site, your computer will automatically be issued with a cookie. Cookies are text files which identify your computer to our server. Cookies in themselves do not identify the individual user, just the computer used. Many sites do this whenever a user visits their site to track traffic flows. Cookies themselves only record which areas of the site have been visited by the computer in question, and for how long. Users have the opportunity to set their computers/devices to accept all cookies, to notify them when a cookie is issued, or not to receive cookies at any time, although this of course means that certain personalised services cannot then be provided to that user. You should read the information that came with your browser software to see how you can do this.

What do cookies tell us?

We use cookies to collect data for analytics, such as demographic and interest data, based on your browsing patterns. This data allows us to estimate your age range, your gender and things that might interest you.

What do we use cookies for? 

We use cookies so that we can improve your experience when you visit our websites and social channels. In particular, we use cookies to: 

• better understand our audience and supporters, for example by estimating our audience size and patterns and tracking the level of interest in our information and campaigns; 

• display relevant promotion, communications and appeals on other digital channels; 

• improve and update our websites. 

 

How do we collect and analyse cookies? 

The Foundation does not directly collect and analyse the data to create cookies; we use a specialist service provider which both collects information on your preferences from your visits to our websites and analyses your preferences from cookies already stored in your browser. 

We obtain this information by enabling Google Analytics to analyse the traffic on our websites via "Google Advertising Cookies". Google Advertising Cookies are a series of cookies already stored in your browser that compile data from your browsing preferences. You can see the types of cookies used by Google and learn more about the different categories by visiting the links below. 

We may change our specialist service provider at any time without notice to you and will update this Policy as necessary at that time. 

 

What can you do if you do not want us to use your cookies? 

• Configure how we use your Google Analytics information. 

• If you would like to opt out of all Google Analytics tracking services, you can install an Add-on. Find out about more about Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on. 

How do I opt-out of the collection and use of information for promotional purposes on the web? 

There are many websites that provide guidance on how to opt out of the collection and use of your information for promotional purposes that are not limited to Great Barrier Reef Foundation web properties. For example: 

• Google Ads settings 

• Network Advertising Initiative opt-out page 

• Digital Advertising Alliance’s Consumer Choice Tool 

 

Do you share data from cookies with other organisations? 

We may share your data from your cookies with partners, agents or service providers to understand our supporters more effectively and to further our mission.