Cookie Policy
1. General Provisions
This Cookie Policy aims to inform Users of the www.sepsimetro.ro Platform about the use of cookie files and similar technologies, as well as the purposes for which such data are collected and used.
Through this Policy, the Operator seeks to ensure a high level of transparency regarding the functioning of the Platform, providing clear and accessible information about the role of cookies in facilitating navigation, improving user experience, and optimizing available content.
The www.sepsimetro.ro Platform is administered by the Intercommunity Development Association SEPSI METROPOLITAN AREA (hereinafter referred to as the “Operator”), which acts in the public interest and in accordance with applicable legislation on personal data protection and electronic communications.
The use of cookies is carried out in compliance with the principles of lawfulness, transparency, and proportionality, and is limited to what is necessary for the proper functioning of the Platform and for the fulfilment of its legitimate purposes.
This Cookie Policy should be read in conjunction with the Terms and Conditions and the Privacy Policy available on the Platform, which provide additional information regarding the use of the website and the processing of personal data.
2. What Are Cookies
Cookies are small text files that are stored on the User’s device (computer, mobile phone, or tablet) when accessing the Platform.
These files are used to recognize the device being used and to facilitate interaction with the Platform, contributing to its proper and efficient functioning. Through cookies, certain User preferences may be retained, as well as information necessary to optimize the browsing experience.
At the same time, cookies allow the collection of technical information regarding the use of the Platform, such as visited pages or session duration, without directly leading to the identification of the User.
Cookies do not contain executable programs, do not include viruses or other malicious applications, and cannot access information stored on the User’s device beyond what is necessary for their proper functioning.
3. Types of Cookies and Technologies Used
In order to ensure the proper and efficient functioning of the Platform, the Operator uses both first-party cookies and third-party cookies, depending on the available functionalities and integrated services.
Strictly necessary cookies are essential for the operation of the Platform and allow Users to navigate and use its basic features. These cookies are enabled automatically and cannot be disabled, as their absence would make it impossible to properly use the Platform.
In addition to these, the Platform may use analytics cookies, which are intended to provide information on how Users interact with the website. These data enable the Operator to understand browsing behaviour, identify potential malfunctions, and improve the structure and content of the Platform. For this purpose, services such as Google Analytics, provided by Google LLC, may be used, which collect data in an aggregated and, where possible, anonymised form.
The Platform may also integrate functionalities provided by third parties, such as social networks (e.g. Facebook / Meta) or interactive mapping services (Google Maps). These services may place their own cookies on the User’s device, depending on the interaction with the respective functionalities and in accordance with the privacy policies of these providers.
The use of these technologies enables the display of embedded external content, facilitates the sharing of information, and provides services relevant to the context of use, including the approximate geographical location of the User.
The Operator does not directly control third-party cookies; however, it makes reasonable efforts to cooperate with providers that comply with applicable data protection and security standards.
4. Purpose of Using Cookies
The main purpose of using cookies is to ensure the proper technical functioning of the Platform, as well as the continuous improvement of the Users’ browsing experience.
Through these technologies, the Operator may analyse the general use of the Platform, without directly identifying the data subjects, in order to detect potential technical issues, optimise the structure and content, and improve the overall performance of the website.
At the same time, cookies contribute to maintaining the security of the Platform, including by detecting and preventing abusive, unauthorised, or potentially harmful use of it.
Where the Platform integrates services provided by third parties, cookies may be used to enable additional functionalities, such as displaying embedded multimedia content, facilitating interaction with social networks, or using interactive mapping services, depending on the User’s choices and interaction with these elements.
5. Legal Basis for the Use of Cookies
The use of cookies is carried out in accordance with applicable legislation, including Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR), as well as national and European legislation on electronic communications.
Strictly necessary cookies are used on the basis of the Operator’s legitimate interest, as they are essential for ensuring the proper and secure functioning of the Platform, without which it could not be accessed or used correctly.
Other categories of cookies, including analytics, performance, or those associated with third-party services, are used exclusively on the basis of the User’s consent, freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous, through the cookie preference management mechanism.
The User has the possibility to withdraw or modify their consent at any time, without affecting the lawfulness of processing carried out prior to such withdrawal.
6. Storage Duration of Cookies
Cookies used on the Platform have different storage durations, depending on their type, the purpose for which they are used, and the settings of the providers implementing them.
Depending on the storage period, cookies can be classified as session cookies and persistent cookies.
Session cookies are stored temporarily on the User’s device for the duration of the visit to the Platform and are automatically deleted when the browser is closed. These cookies are mainly used to ensure the proper functioning of the Platform during an active browsing session.
In contrast, persistent cookies remain stored on the User’s device for a predetermined period, which may vary from a few minutes to several years, depending on their purpose and the configuration of the respective provider. These cookies allow, for example, the retention of User preferences or the long-term analysis of usage behaviour, thereby contributing to the continuous improvement of the Platform.
The exact storage duration is not always determined exclusively by the Operator, as it may also depend on third-party providers placing cookies, such as analytics services or external platforms integrated into the website.
The Operator periodically reviews the use of these technologies and ensures that the storage duration is limited to what is strictly necessary for the fulfilment of the stated purposes, in accordance with the principles of data minimisation and proportionality set out in applicable legislation.
7. User Consent
Upon the first access to the www.sepsimetro.ro Platform, the User is informed about the use of cookie files through a dedicated banner, displayed in a visible manner.
This banner serves to ensure transparency regarding the use of cookies and to provide the User with the possibility to make an informed decision regarding their acceptance or rejection, depending on their preferences.
The User has the possibility to:
- accept all cookies,
- reject non-essential cookies, or
- customise in detail the categories of cookies they wish to allow.
Strictly necessary cookies are enabled automatically, as they are essential for the basic functioning of the Platform and cannot be disabled through the consent mechanism.
The consent given by the User is stored and may be modified at any time by accessing the dedicated cookie settings or through the functionalities available on the Platform.
The User may withdraw their consent at any time, without affecting the lawfulness of processing carried out prior to such withdrawal.
8. Managing Cookie Preferences
Upon first accessing the www.sepsimetro.ro Platform, the User is informed about the use of cookie files through a dedicated, clearly visible banner, which aims to ensure transparency of data processing and to enable the expression of informed consent.
Through this mechanism, the User may freely and distinctly choose between accepting all cookies, rejecting non-essential cookies, or providing detailed customization of the categories of cookies used by the Platform.
After the initial choice has been made, the User may modify their cookie preferences at any time, either through the settings available directly on the Platform (where such functionality is implemented), or by configuring the settings of the browser used.
The modification or withdrawal of consent does not affect the lawfulness of the processing of cookie data based on consent carried out prior to such modification.
It is important to note that disabling or restricting certain types of cookies may lead to limitations in the Platform’s functionality or to a less optimized browsing experience, as some components of the website depend on these technologies for proper operation.
9. Data Transfers to Third Parties and International Transfers
Within the use of the Platform, certain functionalities provided by third parties, such as analytics services (e.g. Google), social networks (e.g. Meta), or interactive mapping services, may involve the processing and, in certain cases, the transfer of data to infrastructures or servers located outside the European Economic Area (EEA).
These international data transfers are carried out exclusively under the conditions provided by applicable legislation, including Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR), and are based on appropriate legal mechanisms, such as Standard Contractual Clauses adopted by the European Commission or other safeguards recognized under European law.
The Operator makes reasonable efforts to cooperate exclusively with service providers that offer adequate guarantees regarding the protection, security, and confidentiality of personal data.
However, the actual processing of data by these third-party providers is carried out in accordance with their own privacy policies, over which the Operator has no direct control.
10. Changes to the Cookies Policy
The Operator reserves the right to update, modify, or supplement this Cookies Policy whenever necessary, in particular to reflect legislative changes, technological developments, or changes in the structure and functionality of the Platform.
Any updated version of the Cookies Policy will be published on the Platform and will replace the previous version, becoming applicable as of the date of its publication, unless otherwise stated.
In the case of significant changes that may affect the way cookies are used or the rights of Users, the Operator may take additional measures to inform Users, to the extent required or imposed by applicable law.
Users are encouraged to periodically review this Cookies Policy in order to stay informed about any updates and about the way the technologies described in this document are used.
11. Contact
For any questions, requests, or concerns regarding the use of cookies or the protection of personal data, Users may contact the Operator using the following contact details:
Email: zmsepsi@gmail.com
All requests submitted will be reviewed by the Operator within a reasonable timeframe, depending on their complexity and the nature of the request.
The Operator makes efforts to provide clear, complete responses in accordance with applicable legislation, as well as to ensure compliance with the rights of data subjects, including in matters related to data protection and the use of cookie technologies.
Furthermore, all data submitted through such requests will be processed in accordance with the Privacy Policy.
In situations where an issue cannot be resolved directly through communication with the Operator, Users have the right to address the competent data protection authority or other relevant authorities, in accordance with applicable law.