Cookies
1. Introduction: Data acquired through the use of cookies
1.1 The website uses small files called cookies, which are used by FOVERA PROSTASIA S.A. (hereinafter referred to as "the Company") to customize the user experience. Cookies are small text files that contain information such as the type of server used by each user, the type of computer, the operating system, internet service providers, and other similar information. When a user visits the website, cookies are sent by its management software and stored on the computer's hard drive or the storage space of each user's portable device.
1.2 Cookies do not cause any harm to the user's computer or mobile device, nor to the files stored on them, and do not access any document or file on the user's computer. While cookies cannot disclose the user's identity, they may be used to identify the user's computer.
1.3 The use of cookies is technically necessary for the seamless connection of the user to the website. For this reason, prior to browsing the website, the user is required to accept the storage of cookie files on their computer, in accordance with Article 5(3) of Directive 2002/58/EC, as transposed into Greek law, and in accordance with Article 6 of the General Data Protection Regulation 679/2016, which stipulates that data collection is possible for lawful reasons.
1.4 Most web browsers automatically accept cookies. However, the user can configure the internet browser they are using in a way that prevents the storage of cookies on their terminal device or displays a constant notification before a new cookie is stored. However, disabling cookies entirely may result in the inability to use certain functions of the website.
2. Μicrodata Categories
2.1 Microdata are classified into functional microdata periods (functional microdata) and permanent microdata. The Website uses functional microdata to provide the User with a more convenient experience and to recognize which specific pages of the Website have been visited. These are automatically deleted once the User leaves the Website.
2.2 The Website also uses temporary microdata for ease of use, which are stored on the User's terminal device for a specified period. If the User revisits the Website to use the Company's services, the Company automatically recognizes that the User has already visited the Website, including the specific entries, settings, and actions taken, as well as the pages visited, so as not to require repeating the same actions. Additionally, this microdata is used by the Company for statistical analysis of Website usage to optimize its services and display information specifically tailored to the User.
2.3 The Website may use web beacons (also known as transparent GIF files, pixels, or action tags, web bugs). These technologies are codes that provide a small graphic image on a website or in an email message. Web beacons can identify certain types of information on the User's computer, such as microdata, the date and time a page was viewed, and a description of the page where the web beacon is located. In general, any file that was part of a website can function as a web beacon. Web beacons are used for monitoring and statistical recording purposes. Third parties may also use web beacons on the Website to collect control, research, and reporting information or to understand User interests and personalize advertisements accordingly.
2.4 Some of the Website's third-party collaborators may use Flash-type microdata, also known as Locally Shared Objects (LSOs). Flash-type microdata is used to identify User interests through the articles consulted and, in general, to monitor User behavior. LSOs maintain data collections such as microdata stored in a directory on a User's computer and are installed through Adobe's Flash Player program.
2.5 Lastly, the Website uses social media microdata, such as the Facebook Pixel, through which the Company collects data regarding the behavior of users of that platform on the Website (time spent on the Website, specific pages visited by the User, etc.). Furthermore, it may be used to retarget certain Users who visited the Website primarily through that social media platform. Similarly, the Company utilizes microdata from the Google Ads Search service to collect data about User behavior on the Website, specifically those who visit it through that particular search engine (time spent on the Website, specific pages visited by the User, etc.).
3. Purposes of Microdata Usage
As previously mentioned, FOVERA PROSTASIA S.A. may utilize microdata for various reasons, including but not limited to:
3.1 For the optimal service of Users and the provision of personalized financial, tax, employment, and all kinds of advisory services offered by the Company.
3.2 For conducting research for statistical purposes and/or improving the content and services of the Website, and to assess its effectiveness, as well as for the instantaneous capture of public opinion trends.
3.3 For collecting data concerning the effectiveness of advertisements on the Website, how Users use it, as well as for displaying advertisements related to the website on other websites, based on the User's previous visits.
3.4 For the optimal technical capability of presenting and operating advertising messages, promotions, and marketing actions related to the financial, tax, employment, and all kinds of advisory services provided by the Company to natural and legal persons, enterprises, entities, and organizations.
3.5 For the purpose of targeting and retargeting Users originating from social media platforms and search engines.
4. Legal Basis of Processing
4.1 The Company uses microdata for the purpose of shaping and continuously optimizing the Website, collecting information regarding the behavior of its Users, and ensuring optimal advertising of its services. Additionally, by utilizing microdata, information is analyzed and evaluated to optimize the Website and the advertising campaigns displayed on it. Primarily, through the collection of microdata, FOVERA PROSTASIA S.A. neither stores nor processes personal data of its Website Users. In any case, if the processing of microdata is deemed capable of identifying a User, such processing is justified based on Article 6(1)(f) of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
4.2 Users have the option to prevent the aforementioned technologies by adjusting the cookie settings in their web browser. Additionally, they have the ability to opt out of interest-based advertising using the Preferences Manager or by enabling available cookie exceptions. Lastly, Users retain the right to object to their identification through the processing of microdata by exercising their rights as recognized by the GDPR, as described in the Company's Privacy Policy.
5. Specifically, the Microdata of Google Analytics
5.1 For the purpose of configuring and continuously optimizing our websites, we use Google Analytics based on Article 6, paragraph 1, item f of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), a web analytics service provided by Google Inc. ("Google"). In this context, "pseudonymized" user profiles are created and microdata (cookies) are used. The microdata records the following information regarding the use of this website:
- Type/version of internet browser
- Used operating system
- Referring URL (i.e., the previous page visited)
- Access computer name and internet protocol (IP) address
- Server request time
5.2 The information is used to evaluate the usage of the Website, compile reports on the activities and results of the Company's advertising campaigns, and for potential re-targeting of the User. Internet protocol (IP) addresses are anonymized to prevent them from being directly associated with the deletion of one or more digits (known as IP-masking).
5.3 The User can prevent the analysis of data generated by the microdata concerning the use of the Website (including the internet protocol address) and the processing of such data by Google, by installing an extension program in the Google Chrome internet browser. More information regarding data protection in relation to Google Analytics can be found on the Google Analytics website.
5.4 The information generated by the microdata is transmitted to a Google server in the United States and stored there. Under no circumstances is the internet protocol (IP) address of the User merged with other data from Google. Furthermore, these information may be transferred to third parties if required by law or if the third parties process the data on behalf of Google.
5.5 After the "anonymization" of the internet protocol address, it is no longer possible to link it to the User's identity. The data created for statistical purposes is deleted from Google Analytics after 50 months. Personal references are no longer included in reports generated based on Google Analytics.
6. In particular, the Microdata of Google Display Service
6.1 Also, on the Website, remarketing technologies are used, specifically the microdata of Google Display Service. With these microdata, interest data is collected using a pseudonym, meaning that information about the browsing behavior of each User is collected for commercial promotion purposes in an anonymous format. These data are stored in microdata files on the user's computer and analyzed through an algorithm. Subsequently, targeted product recommendations and personalized advertising banners of the Company's services, which are of interest to the User, can be displayed on the websites of its partners. Thus, the Company ensures that only the advertisement customized to the User's actual or presumed interests will appear on the User's terminal device.
6.2 Under no circumstances can this data be used to identify the User. There is no processing of direct personal data, and profile merging with personal data is also not performed. Even if the identification of the User is considered possible, the processing of this data is carried out in accordance with Article 6(1)(f) of the General Data Protection Regulation.
6.3 Users who do not wish to see personalized advertising banners of the Company on their computers have the right to object to the collection and storage of such data for the future, as follows:
6.3.1 By selecting the symbol displayed in each advertising banner (e.g., "i"), the User can visit the respective provider's website. There, the nature of the retargeting technology is explained again, and the option to opt-out of the registration is provided. If the User opts out of the registration with a provider, a so-called exception microdata is stored on their computer, which prevents the future display of advertising banners from that specific provider. This opt-out can only be performed by the User's computer, and if the respective exception microdata is deleted, the User will need to repeat the opt-out process.
6.3.2 Alternatively, the User retains the right to object to the processing of microdata by exercising the rights recognized to them under the General Data Protection Regulation, as described in the Company's Privacy Policy.
7. Recipients outside the EU
7.1 With the exception of the processing described in paragraphs 2.5 and 5 herein, the Company does not provide the User's data to recipients based outside the European Union or the European Economic Area. The processing referred to above involves the transfer of data to the servers of authorized "tracking and targeting" technology providers by the Company. Some of these servers are located in the United States (you can obtain information on this in the respective reports on these recipients). The data transfer is carried out in accordance with the principles of the so-called Privacy Shield, as well as based on the so-called Standard Contractual Clauses of the European Commission.