Introduction

  1. This policy explains how we use cookies on our website
  2. This policy should be read together with our Privacy Notice, which explains how and why we collect and store your personal data.
  3. This website is operated by the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry. This policy only relates to your use of our website at www.covid19inquiry.scot. Throughout our website, we may link to other websites owned and operated by third parties. These third party websites may also use cookies or other similar technologies in accordance with their own separate policies. For privacy information relating to these third party websites, please consult their policies on their websites

What are cookies?

  1. Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device by websites that you visit. They are widely used to make websites work or work more efficiently, as well as to provide information to the owners of the website. Some of this information will be aggregated or statistical, which means you will not be identified individually.

Cookies used on our website

  1. Our website uses two types of cookies

    • Necessary cookies: these enable core functionality of our website, such as security, network management and accessibility. We do not need your permission to place these cookies on your device.
    • Analytics cookies: these help us to improve our website by collecting and reporting information on how you use it. The cookies collect information in a way that does not directly identify anyone. We need your permission to place these cookies on your device. You can withdraw your permission at any time through the cookie control box at the bottom of every page on our website. You may need to refresh the page for the updated settings to take effect.
  2. There is more information about the cookies we use and why below

    • Our website uses Google Analytics 4 to track how people are using this website, and YouTube to host videos (which we then embed on this website). Google Analytic 4 and You Tube use the following cookies to track user interaction and engagement when on this website:
Google Analytics
Cookie name Default expiration time Description

_ga

2 years

Used to distinguish users

_gid

24 hours

Used to distinguish users

_gid_,container-id>

2 years

Used to persist session state

_gac_gb_,container-id>

90 days

Contains campaign related information. If you have linked your Google Analytics and Google Ads accounts, Google Ads website conversion tags will read this cookie unless you opt-out. Learn more.

You Tube
Cookie name Default expiration time Description

YSC

Session

Registers a unique ID to keep statistics of what videos from You Tube the user has seen


ytidb::LAST_RESULT_ENTRY_KEY

Persistent

Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded You Tube video


yt-remote-cast-available

Session

Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded You Tube video


yt-remote-cast-installed

Session

Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded You Tube video


yt-remote-connected-devices

Persistent

Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded You Tube video


yt-remote-device-id

Persistent

Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded You Tube video


yt-remote-fast-check-period

Session

Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded You Tube video


yt-remote-session-app

Session

Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded You Tube video


yt-remote-session-name

Session

Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded You Tube video

The above cookies will only be accessed by us and the named third parties for the above purposes and will not be accessed by any other third party.

How to refuse cookies

  1. You may be able to change your Internet browser settings so that cookies (including necessary cookies) are not accepted. If you do this, you may lose some of the functionality of our website.

  2.  You can find out how to manage cookies on popular Internet browsers by clicking on the following links

  3. To find information relating to other browsers, please visit the Internet browser developer’s website.

  4. To opt out of being tracked by Google Analytics across all websites, visit http://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

  5. To opt out of being tracked by Google Analytics on this site specifically, please select the cog icon in the bottom left on your screen move the toggle facility to 'off'

Contact us

  1. If you have any questions about this policy or how we hold or use your personal data, please contact our Data Protection Officer (DPO), by email to SC19Secretary@covid19inquiry.scot

  2. If you would like to receive this policy in alternative format, for example, audio, large print or braille, please contact us at contact@covid19inquiry.scot

Version control

  1. This is the first version of the Cookies Policy and was approved by the Chair on 24 May 2022.

  2. We may update this policy at any time, and you should check our website occasionally to ensure you are aware of the most recent version that will apply each time you access our website.