Cookie Policy
Summary
When a User visits or interacts with AutoTrusted Services, AutoTrusted or authorized service providers may use cookies, web beacons, and other similar technologies for storing information to provide a better, faster, and safer experience. This page is written to help AutoTrusted Users better understand these technologies and how they are used on AutoTrusted services.
AutoTrusted cookies and similar technologies have different functions. They are either necessary for the functioning of AutoTrusted Services, help AutoTrusted improve its performance, or give Users extra functionalities. AutoTrusted uses cookies and similar technologies that only remain on User devices for as long as the browser is kept active (session) and cookies and similar technologies that remain on User devices for a longer period (persistent). Users are free to block, delete, or disable these technologies if their device permits so. Users can manage their cookies and cookie preferences in browser or device settings.
Where possible, security measures are set in place to prevent unauthorized access to AutoTrusted cookies and similar technologies. A unique identifier ensures that only AutoTrusted and/or our authorized service providers have access to cookie data.
Service providers are companies that help AutoTrusted with various aspects of its business. These service providers may also place cookies on User devices via AutoTrusted Services (third party cookies). They may also collect information that helps them identify User device, such as IP-address or other unique device identifiers.
What are cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies
Like most sites, AutoTrusted uses technologies that are essentially small data files placed on a User’s computer, tablet, mobile phone, or other devices (“Device”) that allow AutoTrusted to record certain pieces of information whenever a User visits or interacts with AutoTrusted Services.
The specific names and types of the cookies, web beacons, and other similar technologies AutoTrusted uses may change from time to time. In order to help Users better understand this Policy and AutoTrusted’s use of such technologies, the following limited terminology and definitions have been provided:
Cookies
Small text files (typically made up of letters and numbers) placed in the memory of User browsers or devices when they visit a website or view a message. Cookies allow a website to recognize a particular device or browser. There are several types of cookies:
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Session cookies expire at the end of a browser session and allow AutoTrusted to link User actions during that particular browser session.
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Persistent cookies are stored on User devices in between browser sessions, allowing AutoTrusted to remember preferences or actions across multiple sites.
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First-party cookies are set by the site a User is visiting.
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Third-party cookies are set by a third party site separate from the site being visited.
Cookies can be disabled or removed by tools that are available in most commercial browsers. The preferences for each browser used will need to be set separately and different browsers offer different functionality and options.
Web beacons
Small graphic images (also known as “pixel tags” or “clear GIFs”) that may be included on Services that typically work in conjunction with cookies to identify Users and User behaviour.
Similar technologies
Technologies that store information in the User browser or device utilizing local shared objects or local storage, such as flash cookies, HTML 5 cookies, and other web application software methods. These technologies can operate across all User browsers, and in some instances may not be fully managed by the browser and may require management directly through installed applications or device.
AutoTrusted may use the terms “cookies” or “similar technologies” interchangeably in its policies to refer to all technologies that may be used to store data in browsers or devices or that collect information or help it identify Users in the manner described above.
User choice and AutoTrusted use of cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies
AutoTrusted offers certain Services that are available only through the use of these technologies. Users are always free to block, delete, or disable these technologies if their browser, installed application, or device permits. However, should a User decline cookies or other similar technologies, they may not be able to take advantage of certain site features, services, applications, or tools. Users may also be required to re-enter their password more frequently during their browsing session. For more information on how to block, delete, or disable these technologies, please review browser or device settings.
Generally, these technologies allow AutoTrusted Services to store relevant information in User browsers or devices and later read that information in order to identify them to AutoTrusted servers or internal systems. Where applicable, AutoTrusted protects cookies and other similar technologies to help ensure that only it and/or its authorized service providers can interpret them by assigning them a unique identifier that is designed for interpretation only by AutoTrusted. AutoTrusted does not store any User personal information on any of its cookies or other similar technologies. Any personal information that is collected and stored through use of these technologies is first obtained through notice and consent: AutoTrusted obtains User consent by providing them with transparent notice of use of the technologies and providing the opportunity to make a choice to disable these technologies as set forth above.
Our uses of such technologies fall into the following general categories:
1. Operationally Necessary
AutoTrusted may use cookies, web beacons, or other similar technologies that are necessary to the operation of its Services. This includes technologies that allow Users access to our Services; that are required to identify irregular site behaviour, prevent fraudulent activity and improve security; or that allow Users to make use of AutoTrusted functions such as shopping-carts, saved searches, or similar functions;
2. Performance Related
AutoTrusted may use cookies, web beacons, or other similar technologies to assess the performance of its Services, including as part of its analytic practices to help it understand how visitors use the Website, determine if Users have interacted with its messaging, determine whether Users have viewed an item or link, or to improve AutoTrusted Website content, applications, services, or tools;
3. Functionality Related
AutoTrusted may use cookies, web beacons, or other similar technologies that allow it to offer Users enhanced functionality when accessing or using its Services. This may include identifying Users when they sign into the Website or keeping track of User specified preferences, interests, or past items viewed so that AutoTrusted may enhance the presentation of content on the Websites;
AutoTrusted offers Users the ability to opt-out of the use of first-party advertising-related cookies. To opt-out of the use of third-party advertising-related cookies and web beacons, see the section ‘Ad Networks and Exchanges Operated by Authorized Third Parties’ below. Opting out of the first-party advertising-related cookies, or out of third-party advertising-related cookies and web beacons as described below, does not necessarily mean that Users will not see advertising - only that this advertising will not be targeted to them through the use of first-party or third-party cookies, web beacons or related technologies.
If a User would like to opt-out of all other types of technologies AutoTrusted employs on the Website, services, applications, or tools, Users may do so by blocking, deleting, or disabling them through the browser or device permits.
Use of these technologies by authorized third-party service providers
AutoTrusted may work with third-party companies, commonly known as service providers, who are authorized to place third-party cookies, web beacons, or similar technologies for storing information on the Website or in AutoTrusted Services. These service providers help AutoTrusted to provide Users with a better, faster, and safer experience.
These service providers may use these technologies to help AutoTrusted deliver its own content, and compile anonymous site metrics and analytics. AutoTrusted does not permit any of these service providers to collect any User personal information on the Website or other AutoTrusted Services for their own purposes. These service providers are subject to confidentiality agreements with AutoTrusted and other legal restrictions on their use or collection of any personal information. Third party cookies are covered by the third-parties’ privacy policy.
With the exception of the use of such technologies by AutoTrusted service providers or other authorized third-parties, AutoTrusted does not permit any third-party content on sites (such as listings, member-to-member communications, comments, reviews, etc.) to include or utilize any cookies, web beacons, local storage, or similar technologies for tracking purposes or to collect User personal information. If a User believes a listing or other third-party content might be collecting personal information or using tracking technologies on AutoTrusted’s Services, please report it to AutoTrusted.