Cookie Policy

We are aware that transparency regarding the use of cookies and similar technologies is of significant importance for protecting the privacy of our service users. Therefore, below we set out the rules for using cookies and similar technologies in connection with the use of the Alterland website and Platform.

The purpose of this Cookie Policy is to explain:

what cookies and similar technologies are,
the purposes for which they are used,
the types of cookies we use,
the legal basis on which we use them,
how long they are stored,
how you can manage your settings.

WHAT ARE COOKIES AND SIMILAR TECHNOLOGIES

Cookies are small text files stored on the user's end device (e.g. computer, smartphone, tablet) when using a website or platform. They allow the user's device to be recognised and the service to be adapted to their preferences.

In addition to cookies, we may also use similar technologies such as local storage, session storage, device identifiers or other technical solutions aimed at ensuring the proper functioning of the service, remembering user settings, conducting analyses or supporting security.

WHO IS THE DATA CONTROLLER

The controller of personal data processed in connection with the use of cookies and similar technologies is ALTERLAND SA, Via Frasca 3, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland.

When using certain analytical, functional or marketing tools, the providers of those tools may also act as independent data controllers or joint controllers – in accordance with the principles set out in their own privacy documents.

PURPOSES FOR WHICH WE USE COOKIES

Cookies and similar technologies may be used for the following purposes:

Ensuring the proper functioning of the website and Platform

Some cookies are essential for the proper functioning of the website and Platform, including:

maintaining the user session,
ensuring the correct display of the website,
handling login,
remembering basic technical settings,
ensuring the security of the services.

Without these cookies, the use of certain functionalities may be difficult or impossible.

Remembering user preferences

Cookies may also be used to remember the user's choices and settings, such as:

preferred language,
interface settings,
consent choices,
other settings affecting the comfort of using the website or Platform.

This means you do not need to reconfigure your selected settings each time you visit.

Analytics and statistics

Cookies may also be used to analyse how the website and Platform are used, including to determine:

number of visits,
traffic sources,
navigation patterns on the website,
use of particular functionalities,
performance and stability of the service.

This information helps us develop and improve our services. Where possible, data used for analytical purposes is processed in aggregated or anonymised form.

Security and fraud prevention

Certain cookies and similar technologies may be used to:

identify irregularities,
prevent fraud,
protect against unauthorised access,
maintain system integrity.

These technologies are used to the extent necessary to ensure the security of the website and Platform.

Marketing activities and measuring communication effectiveness

Where we use marketing tools, cookies may also be used to:

personalise marketing communications,
limit the frequency of the same advertisement being displayed,
measure campaign effectiveness,
analyse users' responses to marketing communications.

Such cookies are used only when the user has given consent, where required by applicable law.

These activities may also involve user profiling to the extent necessary to tailor marketing content.

TYPES OF COOKIES WE USE

On the website and Platform we may use the following types of cookies:

Essential cookies – cookies necessary for the proper functioning of the website and Platform. They enable the use of basic functions such as login, maintaining sessions and ensuring security.

Functional cookies – cookies that allow the user's choices to be remembered and the service to be adapted to their preferences.

Analytical cookies – cookies used to collect statistical information and analyse how the website or Platform is used.

Marketing cookies – cookies used to conduct marketing activities, measure their effectiveness and tailor promotional content to the user's interests.

THIRD-PARTY COOKIES

The website and Platform may also use cookies and similar technologies provided by third parties, in particular providers of marketing, analytical and multimedia services.

These files may be installed in particular by:

Meta Platforms, Inc. (e.g. Facebook / Instagram),
Google LLC (including YouTube),
TikTok Technology Limited,
other providers of marketing or analytical tools used within the service.

In connection with the use of these technologies:

these entities may gain access to information about your activity on our website,
this information may be combined with other data collected by these entities within their own services,
these entities may use the data for their own purposes, including marketing, analytical or profiling purposes, in accordance with their privacy policies.

Third-party cookies may be used in particular for:

displaying tailored marketing content,
running advertising campaigns,
measuring the effectiveness of advertisements and marketing activities,
analysing user interactions with marketing or multimedia content (e.g. video materials).

Entities providing such technologies may act as independent personal data controllers or – in certain cases – as joint controllers. Detailed information on data processing by these entities is available in their own privacy policies.

Third-party cookies are used solely on the basis of your consent, where required under applicable law.

PROFILING AND CONTENT PERSONALISATION

In connection with the use of cookies, in particular marketing cookies and cookies provided by third parties, user profiling may take place.

Profiling consists of analysing information about your activity on the website or Platform in order to assess certain factors concerning you, in particular your preferences, interests or behaviour.

In practice, this means that:

user profiles may be created based on their activity on the service,
on this basis, tailored marketing content or advertisements may be displayed,
data may be combined with information from other sources (e.g. services provided by third parties).

Profiling takes place solely on the basis of your consent, where required under applicable law.

We do not make decisions regarding users based solely on automated processing of data that would produce legal effects concerning them or similarly significantly affect them.

LEGAL BASIS FOR USING COOKIES

The legal basis for using cookies and similar technologies is:

to the extent required by privacy regulations applicable to electronic communications applicable to the Controller's activities (in particular those arising from Swiss law and the regulations in force in the user's place of use) – the user's consent, with the exception of cookies that are essential for the proper functioning of the website or Platform;
to the extent that data collected via cookies constitutes personal data – respectively:

Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR – for functional, analytical and marketing cookies (consent),

Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR – for essential cookies (the controller's legitimate interest in ensuring the proper functioning, security and integrity of the services).

Granting consent to the use of certain categories of cookies is voluntary and may be withdrawn by you at any time – in particular by changing settings in the cookie consent management tool available on the alterland.io website.

HOW LONG ARE COOKIES STORED

Cookies may be stored:

for the duration of a session – i.e. until the web browser is closed,
for a specified period after the session ends – depending on the purpose they serve, or until they are deleted by the user.

Detailed information about the cookies used, including their names, providers and storage periods, is available in the cookie consent management tool.

DO WE SHARE DATA WITH OTHER ENTITIES

In connection with the use of cookies, data may be transferred to entities providing us with technological, analytical, security or marketing services.

Depending on the type of tool, the recipients of data may in particular include:

providers of analytical tools,
providers of marketing tools,
providers of security and monitoring services,
providers of technical infrastructure.

These entities may act as:

processors acting on our behalf,
independent data controllers – if they independently determine the purposes and means of processing data in accordance with their own principles.

In the case of third-party cookies, data may be transferred directly to those entities via technologies embedded on our website.

CAN DATA BE TRANSFERRED OUTSIDE THE EEA

In connection with the use of certain cookie tools, data may be transferred outside the European Economic Area, including to Switzerland or the United States.

In such cases, we ensure the application of appropriate data protection mechanisms, in particular by:

transferring data to countries for which the European Commission has determined an adequate level of personal data protection,
using standard contractual clauses approved by the European Commission,
using other legally permitted mechanisms, where applicable.

HOW CAN YOU MANAGE COOKIES

You can manage your cookie settings in two ways:

Cookie consent management tool

On the first visit to the website, the user is presented with a tool enabling the selection of the scope of cookie use. At any time, using this tool, you can change your preferences regarding the use of individual categories of cookies.

Web browser settings

Most web browsers allow you to manage cookies independently, including:

blocking them from being saved,
restricting their use,
deleting cookies that have already been saved.

Detailed information in this regard can be found in your web browser settings.

Please note, however, that restricting or disabling certain cookies may affect the proper functioning of the website or Platform.

YOUR RIGHTS

To the extent that data collected via cookies constitutes personal data or can be linked to a natural person, you have the rights set out in personal data protection regulations, in particular:

the right of access to data,
the right to rectification of data,
the right to erasure of data,
the right to restriction of processing,
the right to object, including to profiling,
the right to withdraw consent,
the right to lodge a complaint with the competent supervisory authority.

Detailed information on the processing of personal data and your rights is also described in our Privacy Policy.

CHANGES TO THE COOKIE POLICY

This Cookie Policy is subject to periodic review and may be updated in particular in the event of:

technological changes,
changes to the tools used,
changes in legislation,
changes in guidance from supervisory authorities.

The current version of the Cookie Policy is published on our website at all times.

CONTACT

If you have any questions, doubts or concerns about the use of cookies and similar technologies, you can contact us at: gdpr@alterland.io.