Al Ain Museum Website Cookie Policy

1. 1. About the Policy

   At Al Ain’s Museum, administrated by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT), we are committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information while offering you a seamless and personalized browsing experience. This Cookie Policy explains in a transparent manner how we use cookies and similar technologies on our website and provides you with a clear understanding of our data collection practices.

   2. What Are Cookies?

   Cookies are small text files placed on your computer, mobile device, or any internet-enabled device by our website’s server. They allow the website to remember you during your current browsing session (via “session cookies”) or across multiple sessions (via “persistent cookies”).

   Al Ain’s Museum website uses cookies to enhance usability and performance. While cookies generally do not directly identify you, they may do so indirectly when combined with other information.

   3. Why we use Cookies?

   We use cookies for the following purposes:

   • Essential functionality: to ensure the smooth operation and security of our website.
   • Performance tracking: to analyse how visitors use the site and improve usability.
   • Functional enhancement: to remember your preferences and provide a tailored experience.
   • Targeting and advertising: to deliver personalised content and measure marketing effectiveness.

   4. Cookies Used on Our Website

   4.1. Strictly Necessary Cookies

   These cookies are essential for the operation of Al Ain’s Museum website. They enable functions such as security, form submissions, and session management. Without them, the site cannot function properly. They do not store personally identifiable information.

   • OptanonConsent (OneTrust cookie management; stores consent choices)
   • ASP.NET_SessionId (maintains anonymous user sessions)
   • __RequestVerificationToken (anti-forgery, security cookie)
   • ARRAffinity (load balancing on Azure)

   4.2. Performance Cookies

   These cookies help us monitor the website’s performance, identify technical issues, and improve the browsing experience. They also allow us to test new features and analyse visitor behaviour anonymously.

   • _ga (Google Analytics – distinguishes unique users)
   • _gid (Google Analytics – stores unique session values)
   • _hjSession_xxxxx (Hotjar – tracks active session data)
   • _hjSessionUser_xxxxx (Hotjar – assigns persistent user ID across sessions)

   4.3. Functional Cookies

   These cookies enhance user experience by remembering your preferences, such as display settings, login details, or previously viewed content.

   • vuid (Vimeo – stores video preferences)
   • __cf_bm (Cloudflare bot management)

   4.4. Targeting / Advertising Cookies

   These cookies help us provide more relevant content and advertising based on your interests. They do not store personal details like your name or email but track browsing patterns to deliver tailored experiences.

   • _fbp (Facebook – advertising and remarketing)
   • _gcl_au (Google AdSense – ad efficiency testing)
   • uuid2 (AppNexus – targeted advertising services)
   • fr (Facebook – personalized ad delivery)
   • VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE (YouTube – video tracking for personalized ads)

   5. Session and Persistent Cookies

   We use both session cookies (temporary, deleted once you close your browser) and persistent cookies (remain until you delete them manually or they expire).

   6. Cookie Management

   Consent & Preferences

   • According to applicable law, we can use strictly necessary cookies without prior consent. For all other categories, your permission is required.
   • When you first visit our website, a cookie banner (managed by OneTrust) will allow you to accept, reject, or customize your cookie preferences. You can change your preferences anytime via the “Cookie Settings” link in the website footer.
   • Preferences will be remembered for one year unless you delete cookies manually.

   How to Control Cookies via Browser

   Most browsers allow you to delete or block cookies, or to receive alerts before a cookie is stored. Instructions are available via browser help menus:

   • Chrome
   • Safari
   • Firefox
   • Microsoft Edge
   • Internet Explorer

   Disabling cookies may impact website functionality and limit access to some features.

   7. Change to This Policy

   We may update this policy from time to time to reflect changes in our cookie practices, legal obligations, or regulatory guidance. Any significant changes will be announced on our website, and the “Last Updated” date will be revised.

   8. Contact Us

   For questions or concerns about this Cookie Policy, please contact: [email protected]