Cookie Policy

Cookies are small text files that websites save on the user's device (computer, smartphone, tablet) during browsing. They are used to remember information useful for the site's operation (e.g. the chosen language or login state) and, in some cases, to collect aggregate statistics on service usage.

Alongside cookies, the Site also uses similar technologies such as localStorage and sessionStorage to store preferences and settings directly in the user's browser. Where relevant, the provisions of this Policy also apply to such technologies.

The Site uses the following categories of cookies:

• Strictly necessary (technical) cookies: essential for the Site's operation and the delivery of the requested service. They do not require user consent under Article 122 of the Italian Privacy Code.
• Preference cookies: save user choices (language, map/list view) for subsequent visits. Treated as technical when strictly tied to the requested service.
• Third-party analytics cookies: collect aggregate statistics on Site usage. Require prior user consent.
• Third-party cookies for integrated services (maps, social-media embeds): set directly by third-party providers when users interact with these services. Require prior user consent.

GuardaMe does not use advertising profiling, retargeting or cross-site tracking cookies.

Without these cookies some essential functions could not operate (authentication, security, consent registration). For this reason they are set even in the absence of explicit consent.

The Site uses the browser's localStorage to remember some browsing preferences. Such data stays on the user's device and is not transmitted to third-party servers.

• language - user-selected language (en / it / fr / de).
• favourites - references to favourited activities (for non-authenticated users).
• map_view - preference for list view or map view on the homepage.
• recent_searches - latest searches performed, for auto-complete suggestions.

Users may delete this data at any time by clearing the browser storage for the salentome.com domain.

The Site uses Google Analytics 4 to collect aggregate usage statistics (most-visited pages, average session duration, devices and geographic origin at city level). Such data is processed in aggregate form and does not allow identification of individual users.

Analytics cookies are set only after the user's explicit consent via the cookie banner.

Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager scripts are loaded subject to consent. For more information on Google's processing see the Google Privacy Policy.

When users interact with content embedded from third-party platforms, these may set their own cookies. The main integrated services are:

• Google Maps Platform (interactive maps on detail pages): may set cookies NID, SOCS, CONSENT for operation and personalisation. Policy: policies.google.com/privacy.
• Meta Platforms - Instagram and Facebook (previews of embedded posts for event curation): may set cookies such as datr, sb, fr when content is displayed. Policy: facebook.com/privacy/policy.
• Google Fonts (loading of web fonts): does not set cookies but may collect the user's IP address at font-loading time.

Third-party cookies are set only after user consent. GuardaMe has no direct access to such cookies nor control over their content.

On the first visit to the Site a banner is shown that allows the user to:

• Accept all cookies;
• Reject all non-strictly-necessary cookies, with an action of equal visual prominence to acceptance (in compliance with the Italian DPA's Decision of 10 June 2021);
• Express granular consent for each category.

The user's choice is stored for 12 months in the technical cookie salentome_consent; at the end of that period the banner is shown again to allow renewal or change. Users may also withdraw or change their consent at any time via the "Manage cookies" link in the footer of every page, with effect for the future.

In addition, users can block cookies directly from their browser settings. Below are the links to the official guides:

• Google Chrome
• Mozilla Firefox
• Apple Safari
• Microsoft Edge

Blocking technical cookies may however impair the proper operation of the Site (for example preventing access to the personal area).

The duration of each cookie is indicated in the tables of the previous sections. In general:

• Session cookies are deleted when the browser is closed;
• Persistent cookies remain stored until the indicated expiry or until manual deletion by the user.

After the indicated terms, cookies are automatically deleted by the browser. GuardaMe does not retain server-side copies of cookies beyond what is necessary for the stated purposes.

GuardaMe may update this Cookie Policy to reflect changes in integrated services or regulatory amendments. Material changes will be communicated by notice on the Site or, for registered users, by email, with reasonable advance notice before entry into force. The date of the latest update is shown at the bottom of this page.

This Cookie Policy is an integral part of the Privacy Policy. For any request or exercise of GDPR rights, you can contact GuardaMe via the Contact page.

Regulatory references: Article 122 of the Italian Privacy Code (Legislative Decree 196/2003 as amended); Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR); Directive 2002/58/EC (ePrivacy); Italian DPA Decision no. 231 of 10 June 2021 "Guidelines on cookies and other tracking tools".