1. Introduction: Data obtained through the use of cookies
1.1 The Website uses small files called microdata (cookies) which are used by the Company “FOROTAXIS MLS IKE” (hereinafter Company) to customize the User’s experience. Microdata are small text files that contain information such as the type of server each User uses, the type of computer, their operating system, Internet service providers, and other such information. When the User visits the Website, microdata is sent by its management software and stored on the hard drive of the computer or in the storage space of the mobile device of each User.
1.2 The microdata does not cause damage either to the User’s computer or mobile device, nor to the files stored on them, while they do not take notice of any document or file from the User’s computer. Microdata cannot reveal the identity of the User, but may be used to identify the User’s computer.
1.3 The use of microdata is technically necessary for the complete implementation of the User’s connection to the Website. For this reason, before browsing the Website, the User is asked to accept the storage of microdata files on his computer, in accordance with Article 5 paragraph 3 of Directive 2002/58/EC, as transposed to Greek law, as well as in accordance with Article 6 of the General Data Protection Regulation 679/2016 which specifies that it is possible to collect data for a legitimate reason.
1.4 Most web browsers automatically accept microdata. However, the User can set the web browser he uses in such a way that microdata is not stored on his terminal device or that a hint is displayed continuously before a new microdata is stored. However, disabling microdata completely may result in the inability to use some features of the Website.
2. Categories of Microdata
2.1 Microdata is typically classified into session microdata (functionality microdata) and persistent microdata. The Website uses small functionality data to offer the User a more comfortable use and to recognize which individual pages of the Website have been visited. These are automatically deleted once the User leaves the Website.
2.2 The Website also uses temporary microdata for the purpose of ease of use, which are stored for a specified period of time on the User’s terminal device. If the User visits the Website again to use the Company’s services, the Company automatically recognizes that he has already visited the Website, which registrations, settings and actions he made as well as which pages he visited, so that it is not necessary to do the same actions. In addition, this microdata is used by the Company for the statistical analysis of the use of the Website in order to optimize its services, as well as to display information that is specifically tailored to the User.
2.3The Website may use web beacons (also called transparent GIF files, pixels or action tags, web bugs). These technologies are codes that deliver a small graphic image to a website or email. Web beacons can identify certain types of information on the User’s computer, such as microdata, the date and time a page was viewed, and a description of the page on which the web beacon is located. In general, any file that was part of a website can act as a web beacon. Web beacons are used for tracking and statistical recording purposes. Third parties may also use web beacons on the Website to receive audit information;
2.4 Some of the Website’s third-party partners may use Flash-type microdata, otherwise known as Locally Shared Objects (LSOs). Flash-type micro-data is used to identify the User’s interests through the articles he consults and in general to track the behavior of the Users. LSOs maintain collections of data such as microdata, stored in a directory on a User’s computer, and installed through Adobe’s Flash Player video player.
2.5 Finally, the Website uses social networking microdata, such as the Pixel of the Facebook platform, through which the Company collects information about the behavior of the users of this platform on the Website (time spent on the Website, individual pages visited by the User, etc. .k), while certain Users who visited it mainly on the said social media may then be retargeted. Similarly, the Company uses the microdata of the Google Ads Search service, in order to collect information about the behavior of the Users of the Website, who visit it through the specific search engine (time spent on the Website, individual pages visited by the User, etc. ok).
3. Purposes of Microdata Use
As mentioned above, the Company may, among other things, use micro-data for various reasons, such as indicatively:
3.1 For the optimal service of the Users and the offer to them of personalized financial, tax, employment and all kinds of consulting services provided by the Company.
3.2 To carry out research for statistical reasons and/or to improve the content and services of the Website and/or to assess its effectiveness as well as to instantly record public opinion trends.
3.3 To collect information regarding the effectiveness of advertisements on the Website, how Users use it, as well as to display advertisements related to the Website on other websites, based on the User’s previous visits to it.
3.4 For the optimal technical possibility of presenting and operating advertising messages, new and promotional actions regarding the financial, tax, labor and all kinds of consulting services provided by the Company to natural and legal persons, businesses, institutions and organizations.
3.5 For the purposes of targeting and retargeting Users from social media and search engines.
4. Legal Basis of Processing
4.1 The Company uses microdata for the purpose of configuring and continuously optimizing the Website, for collecting information about the behavior of its Users as well as for the optimal advertising of its services. In addition, with the use of microdata, the information is analyzed and evaluated in order to optimize the Website and the advertising views displayed on it. In principle, with the collection of microdata, the Company does not store or process personal data of its Website Users. In any case, if the processing of microdata is assumed to lead to the identification of a User, this processing is justified under Article 6 paragraph 1 item f GDPR.
4.2 The User can block the technologies described above, through a corresponding microdata setting in the internet browser he uses. At the same time, he has the possibility to block personalized interest-based advertising with the help of the so-called Preference Manager or by activating the opt-out microdata available. Finally, the User reserves the right to object to his identification through the processing of microdata, exercising the rights recognized by the GDPR, as described in the Company’s Privacy Policy .
5. In particular the Microdata of the Google Analytics Service
5.1 For the purpose of configuration and continuous optimization of our websites, we use Google Analytics, a web analysis service of Google Inc. (“Google”). In this context, “pseudonymized” user profiles are created and microdata (cookies) are used. The cookie records the following information about the use of this website:
- web browser type/version
- operating system used
- url reference (ie the previous page you visited)
- access computer name and Internet Protocol (IP) address
- forwarder request time.
5.2 The information is used to evaluate the use of the Website, to compile reports on the activities and results of the Company’s advertising campaigns, but also for possible retargeting of the User. Internet Protocol (IP) addresses are made anonymous so that they cannot be matched by deleting one or more digits (so-called IP-masking).
5.3 The User can prevent the analysis of the data generated by the microdata and concerning the use of the Website (including the internet protocol address) as well as the processing of said data by Google, if he loads and installs an extension program on the Chrome web browser of Google . More information about data protection in relation to Google Analytics can be found on the Google Analytics website .
5.4 The information generated with the microdata is transmitted to a Google server in the USA and stored there. Under no circumstances is the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the User merged with other data from Google. Also, the information in question may be transmitted to third parties if this is provided for by law or if the third parties process this data under authorization.
5.5 After the “anonymization” of the internet protocol address it is no longer possible to connect to the User’s person. Data generated for statistical purposes is deleted from Google Analytics after 50 months. In the reports compiled on the basis of Google Analytics there is no longer any reference to persons.
6. In particular the Microdata of the Google Display Service
6.1The Website also uses retargeting technologies, in particular the microdata of the Google Display service. With this microdata, data of interest is collected using a pseudonym, i.e. information about the browsing behavior of each User is collected for marketing purposes in anonymous form, which is stored in microdata files on their computer and analyzed by means of an algorithm. It is then possible to display on the websites of the Company’s partners targeted product recommendations and personalized advertising banners with its services that are of interest to the User. Thus, the Company ensures that only advertising tailored to his real or perceived interests will appear on each User’s terminal device.
6.2 Under no circumstances can this data be used to identify the User. No direct personal data is processed, and user profiles are also not merged with personal data. Even if it is assumed that the identification of the User is possible, the data processing in question is carried out on the basis of Article 6 paragraph 1 point f GDPR.
6.3 Users who do not want the Company’s personalized advertising banner to appear on their computers reserve the right to object to the said collection and storage of data for the future, as follows:
6.3.1 By selecting the symbol that appears in each advertising banner (e.g. “i”), the User can go to the respective provider’s website. There, the systematic nature of the retargeting technology is clarified again and the option to cancel the registration (opt-out) is provided. If the User unsubscribes from a provider, so-called opt-out microdata is stored on his computer which prevents the display of the respective provider’s advertising banner in the future. Such de-registration can only be carried out from the User’s computer, while if the respective opt-out microdata is deleted the User will inevitably have to repeat the opt-out process.
6.3.2 Alternatively, the User reserves the right to oppose the processing of microdata, exercising the rights recognized by the GDPR, as described in the Company’s Privacy Policy .
7. Recipients outside the EU
7.1 With the exception of the processing described in paragraph 2.5 and 5 hereof, the Company does not provide the User’s data to recipients based outside the European Union or the European Economic Area. The processing mentioned above leads to the transmission of data to the forwarders of the “tracking and targeting” technology providers authorized by the Company. Some forwarders are located in the USA (information about this can be obtained in the respective reports for the specific recipients). The transfer of data is carried out in accordance with the principles of the so-called Privacy Shield as well as on the basis of the so-called Standard Contractual Clauses of the European Commission.