Cookies statement
You can change your cookie settings at any time.
1. What are cookies?
A cookie is a text file that is stored on your computer or mobile device by a website that you access. It will contain some anonymous information such as a unique identifier and the site name and some digits and numbers. It allows a website to remember things like your preferences or what's in your shopping basket.
Cookies do lots of different things, like letting you navigate between pages efficiently, storing your preferences, and generally improving your experience of a website. Cookies make the interaction between you and the website faster and easier. They allow a website to identify that you are a new visitor every time you move to a new page on the site – for example, when you enter your login details and move to another page it won't recognise you and it won't be able to keep you logged in.
By using and browsing the Royal College of General Practitioners website, you consent to cookies being used in accordance with our policy. If you do not consent, you must turn off cookies or refrain from using the site.
Most browsers allow you to turn off cookies. To do this, look at the 'help' menu on your browser. Switching off cookies may restrict your use of the website and/or delay or affect the way in which it operates.
2. What types of cookies are there?
Broadly, there are 3 types of cookie:
Third party cookies
Third party cookies are set by another website. For example, we use a third-party analytics company who set their own cookie to perform this service.
Session cookies
Session Cookies are stored only temporarily during a browsing session and are deleted from the user's device when the browser is closed.
Persistent cookies
Persistent cookies are saved on your computer for a fixed period (usually a year or longer) and are not deleted when the browser is closed. They are used where we need to know who you are for more than one browsing session. For example, we use this type of cookie to store your preferences, so that they are remembered for the next visit.
They are used on the main RCGP website, Trainee ePortfolio, Revalidation ePortfolio, Research Ready, Practice Accreditation, Self Service Area and Online learning sites.
Why does RCGP use cookies?
- To provide personalised services to individual users. and to improve your user experience by enabling the website to 'remember' you, either for the duration of your visit (using a 'session cookie') or for repeat visits (using a persistent cookie').
- To help us to monitor and improve the services we offer.
Managing Cookies
- For more information about cookies and managing them, please visit aboutcookies.org.uk, which includes, information about how they can be disabled in most commonly used browsers. However, you should be aware that disabling certain cookies may cause the website not to function properly.
- How to control cookies
- The RCGP shop pages provide further information about processing of data collected via online ordering. RCGP shop terms and conditions.
Processing and retention of personal data
All personal data is processed in accordance with the UK data protection and privacy electronic communication laws and regulation. We will not pass any of your personal data to outside organisations or individuals without your express consent.
- You have a right to know about the personal information the RCGP holds about you, and to have your data corrected or deleted.
Data Collection via Meta Conversion API
In addition to utilising cookies, we enhance our social media advertising efforts by using Meta's Conversion API (formerly known as Server-Side API). This tool allows us to transmit event data from our server directly to Meta.
The Meta Conversion API provides a privacy-conscious approach and operates without relying on third-party cookies, aligning with GDPR requirements. Instead of monitoring user actions and transmitting data through a web browser, this system sends data through a server using a distinct ID.
Contact Information
Information that personally identifies individuals, such as names, email addresses, and phone numbers, that we use for matching purposes only. We will hash Contact Information that is sent via Conversion API for matching purposes prior to transmission.
Event Data
Other information about individuals on the actions that they take on our websites, such as visits to our sites, purchases of event tickets or completion of eLearning courses.
Parameters used to collect this information:
Server Event Parameters
|
event_name |
A standard event or custom event name. This field is used to deduplicate events sent by both web (via Meta Pixel) or app (via SDK or App Events API) and the Conversions API. The event_id parameter is also used in deduplication. |
|
event_time |
A Unix timestamp in seconds indicating when the actual event occurred. |
|
user_data |
A map that contains customer information data. See Customer Information Parameters, below. |
|
custom_data |
A map that includes additional business data about the event. See Custom Data Parameters for more information. |
|
event_source_url |
The browser URL where the event happened. |
|
opt_out |
A flag that indicates we should not use this event for ads delivery optimisation. |
|
event_id |
The event_id and event_name parameters are used to deduplicate events sent by both web (via the Meta Pixel) or app (via SDK or App Events API) and the Conversions API. |
|
action_source |
Specifies where conversions occurred. |
|
referrer_url |
The inbound website that was immediately visited prior to the advertiser page where the Meta Pixel fired, either the page the user was on before they visited the current page, or the iFrame. |
Customer Information Parameters
|
|
User’s email address |
|
Phone Number |
User’s phone number |
|
First Name |
Users’ first name |
|
Last Name |
Users’ last name |
|
City |
User’s city |
|
State |
User’s state |
|
Zip Code |
User’s zip/postal code |
|
Country |
User’s country |
|
client_ip_address |
The IP address of the browser corresponding to the event. |
|
client_user_agent |
The user agent for the browser corresponding to the event. |
|
Click ID |
The Facebook click ID value. |
|
Browser ID |
The Facebook browser ID value. |
|
Facebook Login ID |
The ID issued by Meta when a person first logs into an instance of an app. |
|
Lead ID |
The ID associated with a lead generated by Meta's Lead Ads. |
|
page_id |
Specifies the page ID associated with the event. |
|
ig_account_id |
Instagram Account ID that is associated with the business. |
|
ig_sid |
Users who interact with Instagram are identified by Instagram-Scoped User IDs (IGSID). IGSID can be obtained from this webhook. |
User Consent
Users can accept or reject data collection via the Meta Conversions API within the marketing section of our website’s cookie control.
Data Sharing and Processing
Data is collected, shared and processed through the Meta Conversion API in accordance with Meta’s privacy policy. You may also opt out of receiving these ads from the social media network directly by updating your Facebook settings.
3. What cookies does the Royal College of General Practitioners use?
Strictly necessary
Strictly necessary cookies enable core functionality such as page navigation and access to secure areas. The website cannot function properly without these
Provider | Cookie or tracker name | Description |
Azure hosting | ARRAffinitySameSite | |
ARRAffinity | ||
js.monitor.azure.com/scripts/b/ai.2.min.js | ||
| uksouth-1.in.applicationinsights.azure.com//v2/track | ||
Analytics
Analytical cookies help us to improve our website by collecting and reporting information on its usage.
Provider | Cookie or tracker name | Description |
Google Analytics | _gat_ | Created within Google Tag Manager to track certain actions in Google Analytics account. |
_ga | Used to calculate visitor, session, campaign data and keep track of site usage for the site's analytics report. | |
_gid | Data collected including the number visitors, the source where they have come from, and the pages visited. | |
_ga_ | To store and count page views. | |
| Microsoft Clarity | MUID | Identifies unique web browsers visiting Microsoft sites. |
ANON | Indicates whether MUID is transferred to ANID, a cookie used for advertising. | |
SM | Used in synchronizing the MUID across Microsoft domains. | |
CLID | Used for heatmap and session recording. | |
_clsk | To store and combine pageviews by a user into a single session recording. | |
_clck | To store a unique user ID. | |
| Hotjar | script.hoptjar.com - modules.349061f2d87d84c4c336.js static.hotjar.com - hotjar-512675.js?sv=6 | We use Hotjar to help improve the site using behaviour analysis, clickmaps and usage recordings |
Marketing
Marketing cookies are used to track visitors across websites. The intention is to display ads that are relevant and engaging, and therefore more valuable.
Provider | Cookie or tracker name | Description |
_fbp | Used by Facebook to track users on a website and deliver a series of advertisement products such as real time bidding from third party advertisers. | |
| Microsoft Bing ads | MUID | Identifies unique web browsers visiting Microsoft sites.These cookies are used for advertising, site analytics, and other operational purposes. |
MR | ||
SRM-B | ||
_uetsid | To store and track visitors across a website. | |
_uetvid | ||
| Google Ads | NID | |
| IDE |
|
| Google Tag Manager | gtm.js?id=GTM-MP573B7H | Google Tag Manager is a tag management system that allows you to update measurement codes and related code fragments collectively known as tags on your website or mobile app. |
bcookie li_gc li_sugr lidc | Used by LinkedIn to track users on a website and deliver a series of advertisement products such as real time bidding from third party advertisers. |
Contact
Our Data Protection Officer can be contacted by email and post at the following address:
Royal College of General Practitioners
30 Euston Square
London
NW1 2FB
Email: info.dataprotection@rcgp.og.uk
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