What are cookies and why are they used?
A “cookie” is a file that our webserver may send to your computer when you access an Abbott website. This file is then stored on your computer. For example, after you have entered personal information into a form or data field on an Abbott website, Abbott may use cookies and other similar technologies to allow that website to "remember" your personal preferences, such as sections of that website that you visit frequently and, if you choose, your user ID.
Cookies and similar technologies can make your use of Abbott websites easier by allowing Abbott to provide better service, customise sites based on consumer preferences, compile statistics, analyse trends, and otherwise administer and improve Abbott websites. Certain features of Abbott websites may not work without use of required cookies or similar technologies.
Abbott websites may use similar technologies such as “web beacons” (also known as internet tags, single-pixel GIFs, clear GIFs, and invisible GIFs). A web beacon is a tiny graphic on a web page or in an e-mail message that is used to track pages viewed or messages opened. Web beacons tell the website server information such as the IP address and browser type related to the visitor's computer. Web beacons may be placed on online advertisements that bring people to our site and on different pages of our site. Web beacons provide us with information on how many times a page is opened, and which information is consulted.
What types of cookies and other tracking technologies are used?
· Session or Persistent Cookies
Abbott websites use “session” cookies. These are temporary bits of information that are erased once you exit your web browser window or turn your computer off. Session cookies are used, for example, to improve navigation on our websites, block visitors from providing information where inappropriate (the site "remembers" previous entries of age or country of origin that were outside the specified parameters and blocks subsequent changes) and to collect aggregated statistical information. The list of cookies that are used on our website is below.
Abbott websites may use “persistent” cookies that are more permanent bits of information placed on the hard drive of your computer until you delete the cookie. Persistent cookies store information on your computer for a number of purposes, such as retrieving certain information you have previously provided (e.g., passwords), helping to determine what areas of the website visitors find most valuable, and customising the website based on your preferences. Persistent cookies placed by an Abbott website on your computer may hold personal information you have provided, but only if you have registered or have consented to it. Otherwise our webserver only knows that an unidentified visitor with your cookies has returned to the website.
· First or Third-Party Cookies
Abbott websites may use “First-Party” or “Third-Party” cookies. “First-Party” cookies are sent to the user's device from a domain managed by Abbott as the owner of the website, while “Third-party” cookies are sent to the user's device from a domain that is not managed by Abbott but by a third party. We recommend that you check the relevant third party's privacy and/or cookies policies for information about any cookies which may be used.
· Required, Functional or Advertising Cookies
Abbott websites may use cookies for different purposes, such as technical, functional or advertising purposes.
“Required Cookies” are necessary to enable the basic features of this site to function, such as providing secure log-in or remembering how far you are through an order.
“Functional Cookies” allow Abbott to analyze your use of the site to evaluate and improve our performance. They may also be used to provide a better customer experience on this site. For example, remembering your log-in details, saving what is in your shopping cart, or providing us information about how our site is used.
“Advertising cookies” allow us, through certain data assigned and obtained from the user's device, to store or share with third parties information related to user’s browsing activity in our website, in order to create an advertising profile and place relevant advertising in our website or those third parties websites. We use first-party and third-party advertising cookies as indicated below.
Cookie Tracker Details
Please, note that not all these cookies are used on all Abbott websites. Depending on the specific site, subdomain or section you are visiting within an Abbott website, some or all of these cookies might be used.
What choices do I have about cookies?
On some Abbott websites you can choose to enable or disable the use of non-essential cookies and other tracking technologies that are not necessary to the operation of the website or to the provision of the services you have requested. Until you provide explicit consent, non-essential cookies and tracking technologies will be turned off and the functionality of the site may be reduced.
When you access our websites for the first time, a cookie banner will pop up and you will have a choice to consent to some or all cookies by selecting “Yes” or “No” on each cookie category and submitting your preferences. You can also access the cookie banner anytime by clicking on the “Cookie Preferences” link at the bottom of the website, to change your preferences or withdraw consent.
Changes
We may need to update this Cookie Policy in the future and so encourage you to review this Cookie Policy periodically to stay informed about how we are using cookies. This cookie policy was last updated September 2021.
Further information
To find out more about cookies, including how to see what cookies have been set and how to manage and delete them, visit UK ICO Guidance on the use of Cookies and similar technologies.
If you have any questions or comments regarding this Cookie Policy, please contact us.
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