Introduction
- This policy explains how we use cookies on our website
- This policy should be read together with our Privacy Notice, which explains how and why we collect and store your personal data.
- This website is operated by the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry. This policy only relates to your use of our website at www.covid19inquiry.scot. Throughout our website, we may link to other websites owned and operated by third parties. These third party websites may also use cookies or other similar technologies in accordance with their own separate policies. For privacy information relating to these third party websites, please consult their policies on their websites
What are cookies?
- Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device by websites that you visit. They are widely used to make websites work or work more efficiently, as well as to provide information to the owners of the website. Some of this information will be aggregated or statistical, which means you will not be identified individually.
Cookies used on our website
Our website uses two types of cookies
- Necessary cookies: these enable core functionality of our website, such as security, network management and accessibility. We do not need your permission to place these cookies on your device.
- Analytics cookies: these help us to improve our website by collecting and reporting information on how you use it. The cookies collect information in a way that does not directly identify anyone. We need your permission to place these cookies on your device. You can withdraw your permission at any time through the cookie control box at the bottom of every page on our website. You may need to refresh the page for the updated settings to take effect.
There is more information about the cookies we use and why below
- Our website uses Google Analytics 4 to track how people are using this website, and YouTube to host videos (which we then embed on this website). Google Analytic 4 and You Tube use the following cookies to track user interaction and engagement when on this website:
| Google Analytics | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cookie name | Default expiration time | Description |
| _ga | 2 years | Used to distinguish users |
| _gid | 24 hours | Used to distinguish users |
| _gid_,container-id> | 2 years | Used to persist session state |
| _gac_gb_,container-id> | 90 days | Contains campaign related information. If you have linked your Google Analytics and Google Ads accounts, Google Ads website conversion tags will read this cookie unless you opt-out. Learn more. |
| YouTube | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cookie name | Default expiration time | Description |
| YSC | Session | Registers a unique ID to keep statistics of what videos from You Tube the user has seen |
ytidb::LAST_RESULT_ENTRY_KEY | Persistent | Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded You Tube video |
yt-remote-cast-available | Session | Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded You Tube video |
yt-remote-cast-installed | Session | Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded You Tube video |
yt-remote-connected-devices | Persistent | Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded You Tube video |
yt-remote-device-id | Persistent | Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded You Tube video |
yt-remote-fast-check-period | Session | Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded You Tube video |
yt-remote-session-app | Session | Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded You Tube video |
yt-remote-session-name | Session | Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded You Tube video |
| Microsoft Clarity | ||
|---|---|---|
| Name | Purpose | Value Passed |
| _clck | Persists the Clarity User ID and preferences, unique to that site is attributed to the same user ID. | String |
| _clsk | Connects multiple page views by a user into a single Clarity session recording. | String |
| CLID | Identifies the first-time Clarity saw this user on any site using Clarity. | String |
| ANONCHK | Indicates whether MUID is transferred to ANID, a cookie used for advertising. Clarity doesn't use ANID and so this is always set to 0. | Flag |
| MR | Indicates whether to refresh MUID. | Flag |
| MUID | Identifies unique web browsers visiting Microsoft sites. These cookies are used for advertising, site analytics, and other operational purposes. | GUID |
| SM | Used in synchronizing the MUID across Microsoft domains. | Character Flags |
The above cookies will only be accessed by us and the named third parties for the above purposes and will not be accessed by any other third party.
How to refuse cookies
- You may be able to change your Internet browser settings so that cookies (including necessary cookies) are not accepted. If you do this, you may lose some of the functionality of our website.
- You can find out how to manage cookies on popular Internet browsers by clicking on the following links
- To find information relating to other browsers, please visit the Internet browser developer’s website.
- To opt out of being tracked by Google Analytics across all websites, visit http://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.
- To opt out of being tracked by Google Analytics on this site specifically, please select the cog icon in the bottom left on your screen move the toggle facility to 'off'
Contact us
- If you have any questions about this policy or how we hold or use your personal data, please contact our Data Protection Officer (DPO), by email to SC19Secretary@covid19inquiry.scot
- If you would like to receive this policy in alternative format, for example, audio, large print or braille, please contact us at contact@covid19inquiry.scot
Version control
- This is the first version of the Cookies Policy and was approved by the Chair on 24 May 2022.
- We may update this policy at any time, and you should check our website occasionally to ensure you are aware of the most recent version that will apply each time you access our website.