HBS Online Q&A on Cookies and Similar Technologies
What are cookies, pixel tags, scripts, log files, web beacons and similar technologies?
These are technologies that record information or perform specific functions when you access or use our Services. The data collected or generated by these technologies helps us perform a variety of functions such as operating the Services, measuring and improving the performance of the Services, understanding your preferences, and delivering content to you. The data files may be placed directly onto your computer or device by your web browser or they might be embedded in a webpage or email that you access.
Cookies are small text files placed on your computer or device that store information about you or your device and that can be accessed by the Services. We may use both “session” cookies and “persistent” cookies. Session cookies expire at the end of your browser session. Persistent cookies are stored in between browser sessions so we can remember your preferences or actions. You should be able to control how and whether cookies will be accepted by your web browser. Most browsers offer instructions on how to configure the browser to reject certain or all cookies. If you reject our cookies, some functions and conveniences of the Services may not work properly. These cookie settings may not work for all browsers or devices. If you access the Website from multiple devices, you may need to update your settings on each individual device.
Third parties may also use Cookies embedded in our Websites to collect information about your online activities over time and across different websites you visit. This information may be used by third parties to provide advertising tailored to your interests on other websites, apps and services you visit.
Pixel tags (also called web beacons clear GIFs) are typically invisible tags placed on certain pages of the Services but not on your computer or device. When you access those pages, pixel tags generate a generic notice of your visit. Pixel tags usually work in conjunction with cookies, registering when a particular computer or device visits a particular page. This can help us personalize the presentation of the Services for you. If you turn off cookies, the pixel tag will simply detect an anonymous visit.
Our Websites use the following categories of cookies:
- Required / Strictly Necessary Cookies: Required cookies are necessary for the operation, maintenance and/or security of our Websites.
- Functionality / Performance Cookies: Functional and Performance cookies collect information about how visitors use our Websites, such as which pages visitors go to most often and if they receive error messages from web pages.
- Advertising Cookies: These cookies are used to deliver advertising more relevant to you and your interests. They are also used to limit the number of times you see a certain advertisement as well as help measure the effectiveness of the advertising campaigns. They are usually placed by third-party advertising networks with our permission.
Additional Information on Device and Browser Privacy Controls
For additional opt-out options, please visit the websites below. We do not control these opt-out mechanisms and are not responsible for their operation.
- European Interactive Digital Adverting Alliance (EDAA): www.youronlinechoices.eu and www.edaa.eu
- Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA): www.aboutads.info/choices
- Network Advertising Initiative (NAI): optout.networkadvertising.org
- We may use third party analytics such as Google Analytics or similar analytics services. For information on how Google processes and collects information using Google Analytics, please see www.google.com/policies/privacy/partners/, and for how to opt out, please see https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.
Do Not Track
Some web browsers may allow you to enable a do-not-track feature that alerts the websites you visit that you do not want your online activities to be tracked. Our Websites may not recognize or react in response to do-not-track signals. At present, no generally accepted standards exist on how companies must respond to do-not-track signals. In the event a final standard is established, we will assess and provide an appropriate response to these signals.
Last Updated: March 31, 2023