Rugby World Cup 2023 Cookies and Similar Technologies Policy

In this Policy, we provide an overview of cookies and similar technologies and how they work, we outline the types of cookies and similar technologies that we use, we confirm why we use them and we describe how you can manage your own preferences in relation to our use of cookies.

We fully respect your right to privacy and any personal information which you volunteer or we process will be treated with the highest standards of security and confidentiality by us, in accordance with all applicable data protection laws and principles, including, in particular, the General Data Protection Regulation 2018 (Regulation (EU) 2016/679) (GDPR). For further information on our Data Protection practices, please feel free to refer to our Privacy Policies (available here and here respectively).   

Cookies – An Overview

So, what exactly are cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your computer or device when you are browsing a website, including the website and the Fantasy Game Platform. There are different types and categories of cookies in use and different ways to classify cookies based on their purpose and function.

Some cookies are persistent, meaning that they remain on your computer or device for a certain period of time and are not deleted automatically when you close your browser – these cookies can then be read by a website on your subsequent visits to that website. Whilst other cookies may be session ID cookies – meaning they are deleted or expire when you close your internet browser. The information stored in a cookie may relate to your browsing habits on a website or web page, or may include a unique identification number so that a website can "remember" a visitor on their return visit. For the website and the Fantasy Game Platform, we have outlined the expiration timelines for each of the cookie categories within the tables under the “Categories of Cookies” section below.

Why are cookies used by websites?

Cookies are commonly used by websites to remember certain aspects of a visitor’s current or previous website visit which can both make it easier to visit the site again and make the site more useful to the visitor. This could include information such as, the time a visitor has spent on a particular page, what language they prefer, login information or preferences chosen during each website visit. Websites commonly do this in order to improve or tailor current and future visits to the relevant website or other related websites.

Cookies are stored in your browser’s cache (a temporary storage location on your computer or device for downloaded files) and allow a website or a third party to recognise your browser on subsequent visits. Most browsers support cookies but you can generally configure your computer or mobile device browser's settings locally to reflect your preferences in relation to accepting or rejecting cookies, including, in particular, how you wish to handle third-party cookies.

First Party v Third Party Cookies

Cookies that are set by us via the website or the Fantasy Game Platform when you are visiting are called first-party cookies and only the website and the Fantasy Game Platform can read such first-party cookies.

Purpose

Our policy is to use cookies only to improve the way we interact with you or when they are essential to functionality and to the way the website and the Fantasy Game Platform works. Where possible, we have aimed to avoid collecting your personal data via cookies on the website and the Fantasy Game Platform. However, some performance and functional cookies required for providing personalised experiences will use personal data which you have provided when visiting the website or the Fantasy Game Platform. In addition, advertising and targeting cookies will use profiling in certain cases.

The types of activities in respect of which we may use cookies include:

• Storing details that help you to manage your account login online;
• Finding out how people use our sites, such as how often they visit, which pages they go to, and which links they click on – to enable us to improve our services;
• Helping us to provide relevant information, such as details of products, services and other information that you may be interested in;
• Storing information about which media players you generally use so that any video content on the website or the Fantasy Game Platform is displayed correctly.

We also use cookies to:

• Collect information that will help us to distinguish visitors, to understand visitors’ browsing habits and to improve their experience;
• Compile statistical reports on website activity e.g. numbers of visitors and the pages they visit;
• Collect information that will allow us to tailor advertising to make it more relevant for you, based on your previous interactions with the website and the Fantasy Game Platform;
• Remember information about you when you visit the website or the Fantasy Game Platform to support in navigating the site;
• Some of the cookies we use are essential in order to provide our properly functioning site for your use and to maintain the security, safety, and integrity of the website and the Fantasy Game Platform
  
  

Policy Changes and Updates

The cookies that the site may use from time to time are subject to change and updating on an ongoing basis. The reason for this might be to meet the requirements of our visitors and users, improve the performance or functionality of the site or as a result of the implementation of new applications, software, features and/or functionalities, either by us directly or by third parties on our behalf.

On this basis, our team is reviewing our use of cookies in conjunction with this Policy on an ongoing basis and will update the below list and categories of cookies as required from time to time. This ongoing review process is part of our objective to ensure that we are providing visitors (including you) with as much information and transparency as possible about the types of cookies and similar technologies that we use on the website and the Fantasy Game Platform.

As  such, we reserve the right to update and/or change this Policy at any time. So please ensure to check back on this Cookies policy regularly for any updates and/or changes that may be implemented and which may relate to your use of the website and the Fantasy Game Platform.  

Categories of Cookies

To ensure the highest levels of transparency for the website and the Fantasy Game Platform visitors in relation to our use of cookies, we have set out in detail below:

1. a) the main categories of cookies that we use on the site;
2. b) the purpose or function of each category of cookies; and
3. c) the time period during which each type of cookies will be stored by us.

1. Functional Cookies

These cookies enable the site to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation for visitors (including you) in relation to applications or functions that visitors may wish to use on the site. These cookies also support to remember visitor preferences from previous visits. This category of cookies may be set by us or by third party providers whose services or applications we have added to or included on certain pages or areas of the site. If you do not allow these cookies, then some or all of these

2. Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are necessary for the site to function and are always active to ensure the site can be accessed and viewed by you. The website and the Fantasy Game Platform will not work properly without the use of Strictly Necessary Cookies. These cookies are usually only set in response to page navigation, access to secure areas of the site, using a specific function or application of the site, setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms and such other similar actions that you might request, conduct or seek to use on the site. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will then no longer work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information. These cookies are essential for you to browse site without issue and use its features, including accessing various areas of the site.

3. Targeting Cookies

These cookies may be set through site by our third party advertising and marketing partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant advertisements on the site and on other websites. The information in these cookies may also be shared with other organizations, advertisers or third parties. These cookies do not store directly personal information but these cookies are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.

4. Performance Cookies

These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of the website and the Fantasy Game Platform. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies, we will not know when you have visited the site and we will not be able to monitor or improve the performance of the site (as it relates to your use of the site).

Managing Cookies

Accepting, deleting, and how to turn off cookies

 To review or change your cookie acceptance and/or preferences for the website or the Fantasy Game Platform, please click on the cookies icon in the bottom left corner of the site in order to make the Cookies Pop-Up appear. This Cookies Pop-Up may also appear at various times depending on when you enter the site from time to time.

Cookie Settings

You can control the setting of which cookies are deployed on your device at any time by clicking on the main Cookie Pop-Up which appears when you enter the site and also by clicking on the cookie icon in the bottom left corner on the page you are visiting.

Google Analytics Opt-out

For Google Analytics Advertising Features, you can opt-out through Google Ads Settings for mobile applications. Google also provides a Google Analytics opt-out plug-in for web users.

Third-party Tools

Various third party software providers offer browser plug-ins and applications that can help provide you with information on and limit or block third-party advertisements, cookies and some Javascript-based technologies that may operate on your device. Please note that any use of such third party software shall be entirely at your own discretion and risk.

In addition, both Google and Facebook provide tools to control use of advertising on their respective platforms. More information can be found in your account settings on the respective platforms, including in Google’s Privacy Centre and in Facebook’s Ad Settings.

Policy Version

As outlined above in the “Policy Changes and Updates” section, this Policy is subject to change without notice. The current version of this Policy was implemented on Tuesday 29^th August 2023. There have been no previous versions of this Policy on this site.