Privacy and Cookies
English
How we use your information
This privacy notice tells you what to expect when we collect general and at times, but rarely, personal information. It applies to information we collect about:
- visitors to our websites
- complainants and other individuals in relation to a data protection or freedom of information complaint or enquiry
- people who use our services, eg who subscribe to our newsletter or request a publication from us
- people who notify under the Data Protection Act
- job applicants and our current and former employees
Visitors to our websites
When someone visits our and associated websites we collect standard internet log information and details of visitor behaviour patterns. We do this to find out things such as the number of visitors to the various parts of these sites. We collect this information in a way which does not identify anyone. We do not make any attempt to find out the identities of those visiting either of our websites (www.relaxedholidays.net or others identified as our group websites). We will not associate data gathered from these sites with any personally identifying information from any source. If we do want to collect personally identifiable information through our website, we will tell you about this. We will make it clear when we collect personal information and will explain what we intend to do with it.
We operate an opt-in module to allow you to agree to the use of cookies when you use our website. This opt-in module will work to it’s best ability and conformity to the main browsers, but may not cover all types of browsers and devices. We recommend using Firefox, IE, Safari or Chrome. Other browser may not be supported for the opt-in. Should you decide to continue to browse our sites with any browser and whether or not opted-in we consider this as your consent to us using cookies as detailed here.
Our sites need to set cookies to allow us to provide our services, security for users, our sites and our business, and to comply with legal requirements. If you do not wish to receive cookies from or on behalf of or from third parties through our sites, then please stop browsing this site now.
Set your Browsers Privacy and Security levels according to your needs
We recommends to set your Privacy and Security settings in your browser to the level reflecting the levels and complexity needed on your system and whether it is shared or not. High levels of Privacy and Security will require you to respond to prompts from your browser frequently. This will disrupt your browsing experience, but it reduces risks and gives you a higher degree of control what data is retrieved from your system by who.
We also suggest to you to set required cookies to “current session only” and to clear your browsers history, cache and cookies at the end of each of your sessions, at least though frequently, regularly and always before you hand your system to another user.
If you login to any of the our websites we will require you to allow additional cookies to be set to identify your system on a per session basis only for your on our website’s mutual security. You may remove our cookies to ease future access such as avoiding partial or full retyping of login details. This is entirely at your own risk and is recommended on shared systems. We recommend to set your browser to clear all information related to your browsing at the end of your session automatically.
Most web browsers allow some control of most cookies through the browser settings. To find out more about cookies, including how to see what cookies have been set and how to manage and delete them, visit www.allaboutcookies.org.
To opt out of being tracked by Google Analytics across all websites visit http://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.
How we use cookies
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer by websites that you visit. They are widely used in order to make websites work, or work more efficiently, as well as to provide information to the owners of the site and to provide security for the users and this Website.
We record IP addresses, URLs visited, and related information for all site visitors for the purpose of site traffic analytics and captured as part of normal operation in our server logs. Cookies are used to track logins, sessions, and collect anonymous traffic data.
For more information on the choices you have about the cookies we use, please see the Controlling Cookies section below.
We use 3rd-party services like Google Analytics.
We use 3rd-party services like Google Analytics.
Types of Cookie
The table below explains the types of cookies we use or may use on our websites and why we use them.
Not all cookies listed or referred to here may be used. The easiest way to check which cookies are used is to use an add-on to your browser that allows you to see all the cookies coming from this website and cookies residing on your device coming from others.
Regular flushing/cleaning of your device and browser(s) to delete unused & unwanted cookies is recommended.
| Category of cookies | Why we use these cookies |
| Strictly Necessary | These cookies are essential for websites on our services to perform their basic functions. These include those required to allow registered users to authenticate and perform account related functions, as well as to save the contents of virtual “carts” on sites that have an ecommerce functionality. |
| Functionality | These cookies are used to store preferences set by users such as account name, language, and location. |
| Security | We use these cookies to help identify and prevent potential security risks. |
| Analytics and Performance | Performance cookies collect information on how users interact with our websites, including what pages are visited most, as well as other analytical data. We use these details to improve how our websites function and to understand how users interact with them. |
| Third Party / Embedded Content | Sites hosted on WordPress.com make use of different third party applications and services to enhance the experience of website visitors. These include social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter (through the use of sharing buttons), or embedded content from Youtube and Vimeo. As a result, cookies may be set by these third parties, and used by them to track your online activity. We have no direct control over the information that is collected by these cookies. |
User Sites
In addition to the cookies set on our own sites, we we may use other features and will update the information here accordingly.
Examples
Below are examples of the cookies set when you use this website, with explanations of their purpose. Some of these cookies are set across the whole network, whereas some are specific to individual services (e.g. WordPress.com, etc). Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, but rather aims to be representative. Information about cookies that may be set by third parties, such as third parties through links is below. In addition, people and companies that use our services to publish or host their own sites may place additional cookies. We provide more information on these cookies below.
Advertising
| Cookie | Purpose |
| ads | Tracks if a visitor has clicked an ad before. |
| lr_nw | Counts and tracks pageviews on Longreads.com. Used to determine whether or not to show our Membership popup message. |
| wordpress_eli | Reduces the display of ads for repeat visitors. |
Please also see the section below on third party advertising that you may see on our sites or sites that use our services.
Analytics and Performance
| Cookie | Purpose |
| __pdvt | Used in log of Crowdsignal survey data to aid in debugging customer problems |
| ab | Used for “AB testing” of new features. |
| nux_flow_name | Identifies which user signup flow was shown to the user. |
| tk_ni / tk_ai / tk_qs | Gathers information for our own, first party analytics tool about how our services are used. A collection of internal metrics for user activity, used to improve user experience. |
| tk_*r | Referral cookies used to analyse referrer behavior for Jetpack connected sites using WooCommerce. |
| wp-affiliate-tracker | Remembers the ID of the affiliate that referred the current user to WordPress.com |
| utma / utmb / utmc / utmt / utmz / ga / gat / gid | Google Analytics. Gathers information that helps us understand how visitors interact with our websites, which allow us to create a better experience for our visitors. Our users may also implement Google Analytics on their own websites. |
Functionality
| Cookie | Purpose |
| __stripe_sid / __stripe_mid | For processing payment and to aid in fraud detection. |
| _longreads_prod_new | Authentication for Longreads.com Member accounts. Only active when logged in, on *.longreads.com domains. |
| akm_mobile | Stores whether a user has chosen to view the mobile version of a website. |
| botdlang | Used to track the language a user has selected to view popular blogs in. |
| landingpage_currency | Defines the currency displayed in WordPress.com landing pages. |
| pd_dashboard | Records last used folder in Crowdsignal dashboard so it can be reopened upon user’s next visit. |
| PD_USER_AUTH | Login cookie used to identify Crowdsignal user. |
Security
| Cookie | Purpose |
| csrftoken | Python/Ajax security cookie used on accounts.longreads.com. |
Strictly Necessary
| Cookie | Purpose |
| country_code | Used in order to determine whether or not the cookie banner should be shown. Set immediately on page load and retained for 6 hours to remember the visitor’s country. |
| sensitive_pixel_option | Remembers the state of visitor acceptance to the cookie banner. Only set when the visitor clicks Accept. |
| twostep_auth | Set when the user is logged in using two factor authentication. |
| wordpress_test_cookie | Checks if cookies are enabled to provide appropriate user experience. |
Cookies we currently use (2020-06)
| Name | Value | Expiry |
| similiar to .... SESSe5f528c3f0abb6175a5696e74a65dc16 | with contents looking like this ....... JrcDz67v1JZUc83IVpGvxkDmZ-MfT95VDh-ksDoFWMA | 2w |
| similiar to .... SSESS3fe16e15915d67ccd85b078015b0ee00 | with contents looking like this ..... 43_XxCuTgboqLIhYPEPBaO8pWFHljMY7wR_m-JgVZHY |
4w |
| cookie-agreed | 2 | 100d |
| Drupal.toolbar.collapsed | 0 | 1y |
| Drupal.tableDrag.showWeight | 0 | 1y |
| DYNSRV | lin-10-170-0-XXX (X=any digit) | End of session |
| ADMINDYNSRV | lin-10-170-0-XXX (X=any digit) | End of session |
| ctools-collapsible-state | similiar to .... views-ui-advanced-column-property_unique_id%3A1%2Cviews-ui-advanced-column-translations_overview%3A1 |
End of session |
| collapsiblock | similiar to .... %7B%2242%22%3A1%2C%2257%22%3A0%7D |
End of session |
| has_js | 1 | End of session |
EU Cookie Law Banner
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Expiry |
| eucookielaw | Remembers the state of visitor acceptance to the EU Cookie Law banner. | 100d |
Please note that this section is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather aims to be representative, and that our users may set additional cookies (such as Google Analytics), depending on the features they have chosen to enable or the plugins they have installed.
Controlling Cookies
Visitors may wish to restrict the use of cookies or completely prevent them from being set. Most browsers provide for ways to control cookie behaviour such as the length of time they are stored – either through built-in functionality or by utilizing third party plugins. If you disable cookies, please be aware that some of the features of our service may not function correctly.
To find out more on how to manage and delete cookies, visit aboutcookies.org. For more details on your choices regarding use of your web browsing activity for interest-based advertising you may visit the following sites:
On a mobile device, you may also be to adjust your settings to limit ad tracking. You can opt out of Google Analytics by installing Google’s opt-out browser add-on.
Our Internal Analytics Tool
In order to better understand how our services are used, we monitor certain user activities including page views and clicks on any links used when managing a site via our dashboards.
We call each one of these actions an “event.” Analytics events are attached to your WordPress.com account. In general, we record the following data for each event: IP address, WordPress.com ID may be recorded, user agent, referring URL, timestamp of event, browser language, and country code.
We use this information to improve our products, make our site more relevant, personalize your experience and to make the use of our site more secure for us and you by excluding malicious attacks and activities.
You may opt out of our analytics program through your user settings. By doing so, you won’t share information with our analytics tool about events or actions that happen after the opt-out, while logged in to your WordPress.com account. Note that opting out does not disable the functionality of the actions we track – for example, if you publish a post, we will still have record of that (don’t worry!), but for an event or action after you opt out, we will not have other data associated with that action or event in the analytics tool.
Video Channel cookies from YouTube and others
We may embed videos from Video Channel websites such as YouTube and we will wherever possible use privacy-enhanced modes. In this mode the Video Channel websites may set cookies on your computer once you click on the respective video player. Should you decide to play content from any Video Channel (YouTube and others) you need to review their respective Privacy and Cookie policies directly, such as YouTube’s embedding videos information page.
Search engine
The search engine on our websites is designed to be as powerful and easy to use as the popular search engine Google. The search is made possible by a piece of hardware (a search ‘appliance’) supplied by Drupal that is plugged into our server and continuously indexes the content on our site. All search requests are handled by the appliance and the information is not passed on to any third party.
You may also use other search engines to search our sites and in those cases we recommend to you to read and agree to their Privacy and Cookie policies directly on those sites.
When you call us
When you call us we may collect Calling Line Identification (CLI) information. We use this information to help improve its efficiency and effectiveness.
When you make a complaint to us
When we receive a complaint we create a file containing the details of the complaint. This normally contains the identity of the complainant and any other individuals involved in the complaint, including contact details.
We will only use the personal information we collect to process the complaint and to check on the level of service we provide.
We usually have to disclose the complainant’s identity to whoever the complaint is about. We will not handle complaints on an anonymous basis.
We will keep personal information contained in complaint files in line with our retention policy. This means that information relating to a complaint will be retained for four years from closure. It will be retained in a secure environment and access to it will be restricted according to the ‘need to know’ principle.
Similarly, where enquiries are submitted to us we will only use the information supplied to us to deal with the enquiry and any subsequent issues and to check on the level of service we provide.
When you use our services
We have to hold the details of the people who have requested services in order to provide it. However, we only use these details to provide the service the person has requested and for other closely related purposes. For example, we might use information about people who have requested a publication to carry out a survey to find out if they are happy with the level of service they received. When people do subscribe to our services, they can cancel their subscription at any time and are given an easy way of doing this.
Job applicants, current and former employees
When individuals apply to work for us, we will only use the information they supply to us to process their application and to monitor recruitment statistics. Where we want to disclose information to a third party, for example where we want to take up a reference or obtain a ‘disclosure’ from the Criminal Records Bureau we will not do so without informing them beforehand unless the disclosure is required by law.
Personal information about unsuccessful candidates will be held for 12 months after the recruitment exercise has been completed, it will then be destroyed or deleted. We retain de-personalised statistical information about applicants to help inform our recruitment activities, but no individuals are identifiable from that data.
Once a person has taken up employment with us, we will compile a file relating to their employment. The information contained in this will be kept secure and will only be used for purposes directly relevant to that person’s employment. Once their employment with us has ended, we will retain the file in accordance with the requirements of our retention schedule and then delete it.
Complaints or queries
We try to meet the highest standards when collecting and using personal information. For this reason, we take any complaints we receive about this very seriously. We encourage people to bring it to our attention if they think that our collection or use of information is unfair, misleading or inappropriate. We would also welcome any suggestions for improving our procedures.
This privacy notice was drafted with brevity and clarity in mind. It does not provide exhaustive detail of all aspects of our collection and use of personal information. However, we are happy to provide any additional information or explanation needed. Any requests for this should be sent via the contact page link below.
Access to personal information
We try to be as open as it can be in terms of giving people access to their personal information. Individuals can find out if we hold any personal information by making a ‘subject access request’ under the Data Protection Act 2018. If we do hold information about you we will:
- give you a description of it;
- tell you why we are holding it;
- tell you who it could be disclosed to; and
- let you have a copy of the information in an intelligible form.
To make a request to us for any personal information we may hold you need to put the request in writing addressing it to our GDPR department via the contact page link below.
If we do hold information about you, you can ask us to correct any mistakes by contacting as as detailed above.
Disclosure of personal information
In many circumstances we will not disclose personal data without consent. However when we investigate a complaint, for example, we will need to share personal information with the organisation concerned and with other relevant bodies.
You can also get further information on:
- agreements we have with other organisations for sharing information;
- circumstances where we can pass on personal data without consent for example, to prevent and detect crime and to produce anonymised statistics;
- our instructions to staff on how to collect, use and delete personal data; and
- how we check that the information we hold is accurate and up to date.
Links to other websites
This privacy notice does not cover the links within these sites linking to other unrelated, third party websites. We encourage you to read the privacy statements on the other unrelated, third party websites you may visit when following links from here.
How to contact us
Requests for information about our privacy policy can be emailed to the Information Privacy department via our Contact Form.
Changes to this privacy notice
We keep our privacy notice under regular review. This privacy notice was last updated on 01. June 2020.