A clearer understanding of cookies and your privacy.
PlanetPress24 is committed to explaining how cookies and similar technologies may be used when readers access our international news and information platform. This policy describes the different types of storage and tracking technologies that websites may use, the choices available to readers and the legal principles governing their use.
Cookies can help websites operate reliably, remember settings and support selected services. Other technologies may be used to understand website usage, deliver advertising or enable third-party features. Their use must be assessed according to their purpose and applicable privacy requirements.
What are cookies and similar technologies?
A cookie is a small piece of information that a website or service can ask a browser to store on a user's device. Cookies may be sent back to the relevant website or service during subsequent visits.
Cookies are not the only technology used to store or access information on a device. Websites may also use local storage, session storage, pixels, tags, embedded scripts or comparable technologies.
Some technologies are used to support essential functionality, while others may collect information about browsing activity, preferences, interactions or technical characteristics.
Session cookies
Temporary cookies commonly used during an active browser session. Their lifetime depends on browser behaviour and the relevant service.
Persistent cookies
Cookies that may remain on a device beyond a single browsing session until they expire or are deleted.
First-party cookies
Cookies associated with the website or domain being visited, subject to the technical origin and configuration of the service.
Third-party cookies
Cookies associated with another domain or service, potentially used through embedded content, advertising or other integrations.
Browser storage
Local or session storage that may retain information within the browser for functionality, preferences or other purposes.
Pixels and similar tools
Technologies that may record interactions or transmit information to a service when a page or embedded resource is loaded.
Different purposes require different treatment
The legal requirements applying to cookies and similar technologies depend on their function and whether they are strictly necessary for a service explicitly requested by the user.
Strictly necessary technologies
Technologies required to provide an explicitly requested service or perform essential technical functions, where the relevant legal exemption applies.
Functional preferences
Technologies that remember optional choices such as presentation settings or other preferences. Consent requirements depend on their purpose and whether an exemption applies.
Analytics and measurement
Technologies that may measure visits, page interactions, traffic sources or website performance. Non-essential analytics generally require prior consent under Irish ePrivacy rules.
Advertising and personalisation
Technologies that may support advertising delivery, attribution, audience measurement or personalised advertising. Non-essential storage or access requires appropriate prior consent.
When is consent required?
In Ireland, the rules on storing information on, or accessing information from, a user's device are governed principally by the ePrivacy framework as implemented through the European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Privacy and Electronic Communications) Regulations 2011, as amended.
As a general rule, consent is required before non-essential cookies or similar technologies are used. Certain technologies may qualify for an exemption where they are used solely for transmission of a communication or are strictly necessary to provide a service explicitly requested by the user.
Where cookie-related activities involve personal data, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) may also apply. The lawful basis for subsequent personal-data processing must be assessed separately from the rules governing access to or storage on a device.
- Prior consent: Where consent is required, the relevant technology should not be activated before valid consent has been obtained.
- Informed choice: Users should receive sufficiently clear information about purposes and relevant providers.
- Freely given consent: Accepting non-essential technologies should not result from misleading choices or inappropriate pressure.
- Withdrawal: Where processing relies on consent, users must be able to withdraw it, and doing so should be as easy as giving consent.
- Necessary technologies: Technologies genuinely covered by an applicable exemption may operate without cookie consent, but related personal-data processing must still comply with relevant law.
Information about individual cookies
A complete cookie register should identify each relevant cookie or comparable technology actually used by PlanetPress24, including its provider, purpose, category and duration.
Because website functionality and third-party integrations may change, cookie inventories require periodic technical review.
| Category | Possible purpose | Consent position | Information to disclose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strictly necessary | Security, essential sessions and services explicitly requested by users. | May qualify for an exemption where the legal conditions are met. | Actual cookie name, provider, purpose and retention period. |
| Functional | Remembering optional preferences or presentation choices. | Depends on whether the function qualifies as strictly necessary. | Actual cookie name, provider, purpose and retention period. |
| Analytics | Measuring website use, page activity and technical performance. | Generally requires prior consent when non-essential device storage or access is involved. | Provider, cookie names, collected information and duration. |
| Advertising | Advertising delivery, measurement or personalisation. | Non-essential storage or access requires appropriate prior consent. | Provider, purposes, cookie names, retention and relevant third parties. |
| External content | Embedded video, maps, social content or other third-party features. | Depends on the technology, purpose and applicable exemption. | External provider, purposes, relevant storage and data transfers. |
How to manage cookies and consent
Readers may have several ways to manage browser storage and non-essential technologies. The controls available depend on the browser and on the website's implemented consent-management system.
If you need assistance locating privacy information or wish to ask about consent preferences, contact support@bigmedia24.com .
Third-party technologies may require additional safeguards
A modern news website may include functionality supplied by external organisations. Depending on the integration, visiting or interacting with such content may cause a third party to receive technical information or access browser storage.
These examples describe technologies that may require assessment. They do not confirm that every category is currently used by PlanetPress24.
Video platforms
Embedded videos may involve external requests, playback technologies or cookies operated by the video provider.
Social media content
Embedded posts, sharing widgets or social integrations may connect a browser to an external social media service.
Analytics providers
External measurement services may analyse visits, website interactions and traffic patterns, subject to their configuration.
Advertising technology
Advertising systems may involve cookies, pixels, frequency controls, measurement or other tracking technologies.
Maps and interactive features
External maps, charts and interactive tools may connect to third-party servers and use associated browser technologies.
Security and technical services
Infrastructure providers may process technical requests or use necessary security mechanisms, depending on the services deployed.
How long can cookies remain on a device?
Cookie lifetimes vary according to their function and configuration. Some are intended to operate during a browsing session, while others may remain for a specified period.
A cookie's technical expiry date is not necessarily the same as the retention period for personal data collected or processed through the associated service.
- Session-related storage: May expire when a session ends, although browser recovery features and technical settings can affect session behaviour.
- Persistent storage: May remain until a configured expiry date or until deleted by the user or software.
- Preference storage: May be used to remember relevant settings, where legally permitted.
- Consent records: May be retained to document consent choices and demonstrate compliance, subject to applicable data-protection requirements.
- Third-party storage: May be governed by the configurations and policies of external providers, where their use is lawful and permitted.
The actual retention periods for PlanetPress24 technologies should be maintained in the website's verified cookie inventory.
Cookies can involve the processing of personal information
Information collected through cookies and comparable technologies may qualify as personal data when it relates to an identified or identifiable person.
Depending on the provider and configuration, processing may involve IP addresses, online identifiers, device information, browsing interactions or other technical data.
Where personal data is transferred outside the European Economic Area, applicable GDPR requirements must be considered. The existence and legality of a transfer depend on the specific provider, countries involved and safeguards used.
Further information about personal-data processing and applicable rights is available in our Privacy Policy .
Questions, requests and complaints
Where cookie-related processing involves personal data, individuals may have rights under applicable data-protection law.
Depending on the circumstances, these may include rights of access, rectification, erasure, restriction, portability and objection, as well as the right to withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
These rights are subject to applicable conditions and lawful exceptions.
- Contact the publisher: Send questions about PlanetPress24's processing of personal data to support@bigmedia24.com .
- Explain your request: Identify the relevant website activity or privacy concern without supplying unnecessary sensitive information.
- Regulatory complaints: You may have the right to lodge a complaint with a competent data-protection supervisory authority.
- Irish supervisory authority: Information about Ireland's Data Protection Commission is available at dataprotection.ie .
Frequently asked questions
Are all cookies used for tracking?
No. Cookies can support essential services, security, preferences and other functionality. Whether a particular technology requires consent depends on its actual purpose and the applicable legal rules.
Do strictly necessary cookies require consent?
A technology may qualify for an exemption from cookie consent when it meets the conditions in applicable ePrivacy law. Merely describing a cookie as necessary does not establish that an exemption applies.
Can analytics cookies operate without consent?
Non-essential analytics involving device storage or access generally require prior consent under Irish ePrivacy requirements. Particular implementations must be assessed according to their actual operation.
Can I refuse optional cookies?
Where cookies or similar technologies require consent, a valid consent mechanism must provide an appropriate choice before those technologies are activated.
How can I withdraw cookie consent?
A website relying on consent must provide a way to withdraw it that is as easy as giving it. The specific controls depend on the consent-management system implemented on the website.
Does deleting cookies remove previously collected information?
Not necessarily. Deleting stored browser data does not automatically erase information previously processed by a website or third-party provider. Applicable data-protection rights may provide additional options.
Can external videos or maps set cookies?
Yes. Embedded services may use cookies or other storage technologies, depending on their configuration. Non-essential access or storage may require consent before the external content is activated.
Is accepting cookies required to read PlanetPress24?
A requirement to accept optional cookies cannot be assumed. Access conditions and the lawfulness of any consent arrangement must be evaluated according to the actual implementation and applicable law.
Does this policy list every cookie currently used?
No. This version explains cookie categories and relevant legal principles. A complete, verified list of individual cookies, providers, purposes and retention periods must be established through a technical audit of the website.
Who can I contact about cookie privacy?
You can contact Bigmedia24 Dynamics Ltd. at support@bigmedia24.com with questions about cookies, website privacy and related data-protection matters.
Keeping cookie information accurate
Website technologies, third-party integrations and legal requirements may change over time. PlanetPress24's Cookie Policy should therefore be reviewed whenever relevant technical or operational changes occur.
A complete and maintained cookie declaration should identify actual technologies, describe their purposes accurately and reflect the consent controls that are implemented.
Have a question about how PlanetPress24 uses cookies?
If you have a question about browser technologies, consent, privacy or the processing of personal information, contact the publisher and describe the matter you would like us to review.