Cookie Policy

Last Updated: November 2025

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, smartphone, tablet, or other internet-connected device) when you visit a website. Cookies allow websites to recognize your device, store information about your browsing preferences, and maintain session information to enhance user experience.

Types of cookies include:

2. Why We Use Cookies

We use cookies to:

3. Types of Cookies Used on Our Website

3.1 Necessary Cookies

What they do: Enable essential Website functionality

Purpose:

Examples:

Duration: Per session or up to 1 year Consent Required: No (these are necessary for Website operation) Can be disabled: Not recommended, as this may prevent Website functionality

Cookie NamePurposeDurationProvider
PHPSESSIDMaintains user sessionPer sessionWeb Server
wordpress_logged_inWordPress user authentication14 daysWordPress
wordpress_secWordPress security token14 daysWordPress
cookieadmin-consentStores your cookie preferences1 yearCookieAdmin

3.2 Functional Cookies

What they do: Support additional features and functionality

Purpose:

Duration: Up to 1 year Consent Required: Yes (optional cookies) Can be disabled: Yes, through cookie management tool or browser settings

Cookie NamePurposeDurationProvider
_ga_consentSocial sharing preferences1 yearWebsite
_fb_sharingFacebook sharing data90 daysFacebook
_tw_sharingTwitter sharing data90 daysTwitter

3.3 Analytical Cookies

What they do: Collect information about how visitors use the Website

Purpose:

Duration: Up to 26 months Consent Required: Yes (optional cookies) Can be disabled: Yes, through our cookie management tool or browser settings

Cookie NamePurposeDurationProvider
_gaGoogle Analytics – Distinguish users2 yearsGoogle Analytics
_gatGoogle Analytics – Limit request rate1 minuteGoogle Analytics
_gidGoogle Analytics – Current session tracking24 hoursGoogle Analytics
_ga_XXXXXXXXXXGoogle Analytics 4 – Session tracking2 yearsGoogle Analytics

3.4 Preference Cookies

What they do: Remember your choices and settings

Purpose:

Duration: Up to 1 year Consent Required: No (for basic functionality) Can be disabled: Yes

Cookie NamePurposeDurationProvider
pll_languageLanguage preference1 yearWebsite
theme_preferenceDisplay theme preference1 yearWebsite
cookieadmin-functionalFunctional cookies consent1 yearCookieAdmin

3.5 Marketing and Advertising Cookies

What they do: Track user behavior for marketing and advertising purposes

Purpose:

Platforms:

Duration: 1 month to 2 years Consent Required: Yes (optional) Can be disabled: Yes

4. Third-Party Services and Embedded Content

The Website integrates with third-party services that may place cookies:

4.1 YouTube

4.2 Google Analytics

4.3 Social Media Platforms

4.4 WordPress and Plugins

4.5 CookieAdmin

5. Cookie Consent and Management

5.1 Consent Banner

When you first visit the Website, you will see a cookie consent banner that informs you about cookie usage. You have the following options:

5.2 Withdrawing or Changing Consent

You can change your cookie preferences at any time by:

  1. Using the cookie consent tool (typically accessible via a banner or footer link)
  2. Clearing your browser cookies and resetting preferences
  3. Contacting us directly at CRC1550@uni-heidelberg.de

Changes take effect immediately upon saving your preferences.

6. How to Control and Manage Cookies

6.1 Browser-Based Cookie Control

Most modern browsers allow you to control cookies through settings:

Google Chrome:

  1. Click the menu icon (⋮) in the top-right corner
  2. Select “Settings”
  3. Click “Privacy and security” in the left menu
  4. Select “Cookies and other site data”
  5. Choose your preferred settings (allow, block, or custom)

Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Click the menu icon (☰) in the top-right corner
  2. Select “Preferences”
  3. Click “Privacy & Security” in the left menu
  4. Under “Cookies and Site Data,” choose your settings

Apple Safari:

  1. Click “Safari” in the top menu
  2. Select “Preferences”
  3. Click the “Privacy” tab
  4. Under “Cookies and website data,” choose your preference

Microsoft Edge:

  1. Click the menu icon (⋯) in the top-right corner
  2. Select “Settings”
  3. Click “Privacy, search, and services”
  4. Manage cookie settings under “Clear browsing data”

6.2 Third-Party Opt-Out Tools

6.3 Do Not Track (DNT)

Some browsers include a “Do Not Track” feature. The Website may respect this preference, though implementation varies.

7. Impact of Disabling Cookies

Essential Cookies: Disabling these may prevent proper Website operation:

Optional Cookies: Disabling these will not significantly impact Website functionality, but may affect:

8. Cookie Lifespan

Cookie TypeTypical DurationPersistence
Session CookiesPer browser sessionTemporary
Essential Persistent Cookies1 week to 1 yearLonger-term
Analytical CookiesUp to 26 monthsLong-term
Marketing Cookies1 month to 2 yearsVariable

9. Security of Cookie Data

10. International Users and GDPR Compliance

This Cookie Policy complies with GDPR requirements for all users:

11. Children and Cookies

The Website is not intentionally directed to children under 16. If you are under 16:

Contact: CRC1550@uni-heidelberg.de

12. Special Considerations for Research Institutions

As a research institution, CRC 1550 uses cookies and analytics to:

Data collected is used in accordance with research ethics and regulatory guidelines.

13. Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this policy to reflect:

Updates will be published on this page with an updated date. Significant changes will be communicated via the Website.

14. Your Rights Regarding Cookies

Under GDPR, you have the right to:

15. Contact Us

If you have questions about our cookie practices:

Email: CRC1550@uni-heidelberg.de

Address: CRC 1550 Project Office Eppelheimer Strasse 8 69115 Heidelberg Germany

Phone: +49 (6221) 56-36113

Data Protection Authority:

16. Third-Party Cookie Information

For more information about cookies from third-party services:


Important Notes:

  1. Acceptance is voluntary: You are not required to accept optional cookies to use the Website
  2. Essential cookies are necessary: Essential cookies will be used regardless of your preferences as they are required for Website operation
  3. Dynamic changes: You can change your cookie preferences at any time
  4. Third-party responsibility: Third-party cookies are governed by those providers’ policies, not this Cookie Policy
  5. No tracking across services: We do not track your behavior across third-party websites (unless you use third-party services that do)

Last Updated: November 2025 Version: 1.0 Language: English