Cookie Policy – mdspatientsupport.org.uk

This is a privacy notice that explains how we used the data gathered by cookies.

Cookies are small text files that may be automatically stored on your computer or mobile device by the websites you visit.

We use the following types of cookies:

Strictly necessary. Required for the operation of our website. They include, for example, cookies that enable you to log into secure areas of our website, such as the forum. You may disable these by changing your browser settings, but this may affect how the website functions.
Analytical/performance. They allow us to recognise and count the number of visitors and to see how visitors move around our website when they are using it. This helps us to improve the way our website works, for example, by ensuring that users are finding what they are looking for easily. The cookies collect information in a way that does not directly identify anyone.
Targeting/Marketing. These cookies record your visit to our website, the pages you have visited and the links you have followed. We use this information to make our website display on search more relevant to people affected by MDS and increase awareness on MDS on social platforms such as Twitter.

By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

Below you can find more information about the individual cookies we use and the purposes for which we use them, which will be updated periodically as we start using new cookies and stop using old ones.

Strictly necessary:

Twitter cookies

This website uses local_storage_support_test by twitter.com. This is a persistent cookie used in context with the local-storage function in the browser to allow the homepage to load faster by pre-loading certain procedures.

Google cookies

rc::a – rc::b – rc::c

These cookies are used to distinguish between humans and bots. This is beneficial for the website, in order to filter out spam and make valid reports on the use of our site.

Forum cookies

This website uses phpBB3, a forum software provided by phpBB, the most widely used open source bulletin board system in the world.

The information generated by the cookie about your use of this website (including your IP address) is not transmitted to a common shared server neither shared with a third party.

The cookies are used to identify whether you are a registered user or an anonymous guest and customise your experience accordingly:

_u = user ID, for example 1361704 or 1 for a guest.
_sid = session ID, generates a cookie for a specific visit and identifies you, combined with _u.
_k = session key, only used for “remember me” feature to not always re-log in.

For more information about the forum cookies and your ability to delete them at any time please Click Here.

Analytics cookies on our website:

Google Analytics cookies

This is a web analytics service provided by Google, Inc. (“Google”). The information generated by the cookie about your use of this website (including your IP address) will be transmitted to a Google server in the USA and stored there. Google will use this information for the purpose of evaluating your use of the website, compiling reports on website activities for website operators and providing other services relating to website activity and internet usage. Google may also transfer this information to third parties where this is required by law or insofar as third parties process this data on behalf of Google. Google will never associate your IP address with any other data held by Google. These cookies collect information in a way that does not directly identify anyone.

For more information about Google Analytic cookies please Click Here.

Targeting/Marketing cookies on our website:

This website uses Google DoubleClick cookies

IDE, r/collect and test_cookie.

Google uses cookies to improve advertising. Some common applications are to target advertising based on what’s relevant to a user, to improve reporting on campaign performance, and to avoid showing ads the user has already seen. Cookies themselves contain no personally identifiable information.

You can opt out of ads personalization by using Google’s Ads Settings. If you opt out you will no longer receive personalized advertising from Google.

For more information about Google DoubleClick cookies please Click Here.

The website also uses __widgetsettings by Twitter.com

This is a persistent used on our website to allow the visitor to share content from the website onto their Twitter profile.

Managing / Blocking Cookies:

You can stop the use of cookies by activating the setting on your browser that allows you to refuse the setting of all or some cookies. However, if you use your browser settings to block all cookies (including essential cookies) you may not be able to use parts of our site, such as taking part in the forum.

Please see the links below for instructions on limiting cookies for your browser:

To opt out of being tracked by Google Analytics across all websites, you can install a small plugin proposed by Google for all major browsers. For more information you can visit:
https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout