1. What is a cookie?
Cookies are small data or text files placed locally on your computer or mobile device by websites or applications. These small files can store different types of information, such as your choice of language for a specific website, for example, which will allow you to view that site in your preferred language the next time you visit. Such cookies can serve different purposes.
The Belgian law of 13 June 2005 on electronic communications contains a number of provisions relating to cookies and their use on websites. The application of the Belgian law is based on the European e-Privacy Directive, which means that the use of cookies and their regulation at national level differs in the European countries since they have to implement the directive in national law.
HM Services (“We/our“) is a company operating in the Belgian market and therefore follows the relevant Belgian and European legislation.
2. What are the different types of cookies?
Below are the different types of cookies with different purposes and uses:
- Necessary cookies: These cookies are necessary to enable you to enjoy your visit and use of our website. This will allow you, for example, to complete forms.
- Functional cookies: Functional cookies are intended to facilitate the operation of our website by making the visit more pleasant for the user and by personalising your experience. In practical terms, this can mean cookies that remember your language choice or your personal account settings.
- Analysis cookies: These analysis cookies collect data about visitors’ use of our website in order to continually improve and optimise your experience when visiting and using our website.
- Commercial cookies: Commercial cookies collect data on browsing behaviour to provide you with personalised content and advertising that may be of interest to you. Through these cookies, you may be offered advertising for products and services based on your interests.
3. Who can set these different cookies?
First party cookies: these cookies are managed and set by us and are specifically related to our website.
Third party cookies: These cookies are managed and set by third parties and allow some information about your visit to our website to be sent to third parties, such as our partners.
4. How long are cookies stored?
Cookies generally have an expiry date which may vary depending on their purpose.
Temporary cookies: some cookies (session cookies) are stored on your browser or application temporarily and are deleted when you close your browser/application.
Permanent cookies: other cookies will be kept on your device for a longer period of time. Some may be kept for a predefined time or until manual intervention to delete them. It is these permanent cookies that allow us to recognise you on your next visit.
5. What is the purpose of cookies?
HM Services wishes to inform you as precisely as possible about the rules surrounding the use of cookies and the types of cookies it uses on its site. Cookies help HM Services to optimise your visit to its website, to remember your technical choices (such as a choice of language, a newsletter, etc.), and to provide you with offers and services that are increasingly well adapted to your needs.
In order to use the HM Services website, it is recommended that you enable cookies. If cookies are deactivated, we may not be able to guarantee you a technically trouble-free visit to our website. However, you are free to deactivate cookies if you wish.
We use cookies to enhance your visit and use of our website. The cookies we use are secure. The information we collect using cookies helps us to identify any errors on our website and to provide you with specific and personalised services that we think may be of interest to you.
6. How do I manage/delete installed cookies?
You can view, create exceptions or refuse the installation of cookies at any time via your browser settings. You can also delete installed cookies via your browser settings. To do this, please follow the steps on the following links:
- Internet Explorer: https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/delete-and-manage-cookies-168dab11-0753-043d-7c16-ede5947fc64d
- Google Chrome: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647?hl=en-GB&sjid=13341424856820225090-EU
- Firefox: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/clear-cookies-and-site-data-firefox
- Safari (iOS): https://support.apple.com/en-gb/105082
- Safari (MacOS): https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/safari/sfri11471/mac
If you wish to refuse commercial cookies, you can do so by following the steps on the website : https://www.youronlinechoices.com