Cookie Policy

1. Scope and Purpose

This Cookie Policy applies to the website and mobile application of the Arouca Digital platform, managed by the Municipality of Arouca. Its purpose is to inform users about the use of cookies, their purpose, and the means available to manage consent preferences.

2. Legal Framework

This policy is prepared in accordance with applicable legislation, namely Law no. 16/2022, of August 16, which approves the Electronic Communications Law and transposes several European directives. This law establishes that the storage of information and access to information stored on a user’s terminal equipment (such as cookies) can only be carried out with prior and explicit consent, except in cases strictly necessary for the technical functioning of the site.

3. What are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They serve to recognize the user’s device and improve browsing experience, and may have technical, statistical, advertising or functional purposes.

4. Why do we use Cookies?

The Arouca Digital website uses cookies to:

Ensure the basic functioning of the website;
Remember user preferences;
Improve performance and security;
Analyze traffic and browsing behavior;
Personalize content and advertisements;
Allow integration with social networks and third-party tools.

Data collected through cookies may be shared with technology partners and service providers, exclusively for the purposes mentioned above.

5. Types of Cookies Used

Necessary Cookies: Essential for the functioning of the site and do not store personally identifiable information.
Functional Cookies: Enable additional features, such as sharing on social networks or integration with third parties.
Performance Cookies: Monitor the technical performance of the site and help improve user experience.
Advertising Cookies: Used to display personalized ads based on user interests and browsing behavior.
Analytics Cookies: Collect statistical data about site usage, such as number of visitors, most viewed pages, etc.

6. Cookies Used

Cookies used on aroucadigital.pt
Cookie Name	Domain	Description	Validity	Category
PHPSESSID	www.aroucadigital.pt	This cookie is native to PHP applications. It is used to store and identify a user’s unique session ID in order to manage the session on the website. This cookie does not store any personal information and is deleted when all browser windows are closed.	Session time	Necessary
BCD-d71024e31d9933c75c7a8e85b028c1b0	www.aroucadigital.pt	This cookie stores the user’s unique session identifier on the server. The cookie name is dynamically defined through the session_name() function. This mechanism ensures that the session cookie name is unique and specific to the current domain, avoiding conflicts with other applications on the same domain.	Session time	Necessary
_gcl_au	www.aroucadigital.pt	Set by Google Tag Manager to test the advertising efficiency of websites using their services.	Session time	Analytics
mapbox.eventData.uuid:YmNkLXViaXdoZXJl	www.aroucadigital.pt	Registers a unique session identifier for analytics and telemetry purposes, such as interactions with maps (e.g., movements, zoom, clicks).	Session time	Analytics
mapbox.eventData:YmNkLXViaXdoZXJl	www.aroucadigital.pt	Stores a session or event identifier to record user interactions with the map (such as zooming, panning, clicking).	Session time	Analytics

7. Cookie Management

Users can, at any time, accept, refuse or configure cookies via the consent banner or their browser settings.

8. How to Disable Cookies in the Browser?

Each browser allows you to configure cookie acceptance. Below are help links for the most common browsers:

Google Chrome: Manage cookies in Chrome
Mozilla Firefox: Manage cookies in Firefox
Microsoft Edge: Manage cookies in Edge
Safari (Apple): Manage cookies in Safari
Opera: Manage cookies in Opera

9. Updates to the Cookie Policy

The Municipality of Arouca may update this policy periodically. Any relevant changes will be communicated through the website.