Amnesty International’s Security Lab website, like most websites, uses small text files called cookies. This note provides information on what cookies are, which cookies the Security Lab uses, and how they can be controlled.
If you wish to restrict or block cookies, you can set your internet browser to do so. Click on the following link for further information: www.aboutcookies.org
What are cookies?
Cookies are text files containing small amounts of information which are downloaded to your device when you visit a website. Cookies are then sent back to the originating website on each subsequent visit, or to another website that recognises that cookie. Cookies are widely used because they allow a website to recognise a user’s device and therefore allow enhanced functionality.
You can find out more information about cookies at: www.allaboutcookies.org.
How does the Security Lab use cookies?
The Security Lab uses cookies for the following purposes:
- To compile statistical data on the use of our website and its functioning, so that we can monitor and improve it;
- To facilitate users’ ability to navigate through our website, including allowing registered users to access secure parts of our website;
- To allow us to reduce malicious traffic to donation pages.
Which cookies does Amnesty International use?
A full list of all the cookies we use is in the table in part 6 below.
Please note that some cookies can be set by third party content providers in content that is embedded in our site. We are auditing the use of all cookies, and the table will be updated as we make ongoing changes.
How to control cookies
If you do not wish to receive cookies, you can set your web browser to restrict or block them. All modern browsers allow you to change your cookie settings, typically in the ‘options’ or ‘preferences’ menu of your browser. To understand these settings, the following link may be helpful: www.aboutcookies.org
If you disable cookies, you will not be able to use all the interactive features of our website.
Definitions
First-party / Third-party cookies
Refers to the web domain placing the cookie. First-party cookies are those set by a website that is being visited by the user at the time – the website displayed in the URL window. Third-party cookies are cookies that are set by a domain other than that of the website being visited by the user. If a user visits a website and another entity sets the cookie through that website, this would be a third-party cookie.
Persistent cookies
These cookies remain on a user’s device for the period specified in the cookie. They are activated each time that the user visits the website that created that particular cookie.
Session cookies
These cookies allow website operators to link the actions of a user during a browser session. A browser session starts when a user opens the browser window and finishes when they close the browser window. Session cookies are created temporarily. Once you close the browser, all session cookies are deleted.
Full list of cookies used by Amnesty International Security Lab
The following table lists the cookies used when visiting Amnesty International’s Security Lab website as a guest visitor.
| Cookie | Purpose / More Information | Names | Domain | Expiry |
| Cookie Agreement | This cookie is set as soon as the page is interacted with and stores the users’ consent preferences. | CookieControl | securitylab.amnesty.org | 90 days |
| Cloudflare Bot Challenge | This cookie is set by our service provider CloudFlare to filter and block inauthentic users and bots. | __cf_bm | securitylab.amnesty.org | 30 minutes |
The Security Lab runs additional authenticated and protected web services for use by enrolled individuals for digital forensic and security purposes. These optional opt-in services may set additional cookies necessary for authentication and functional purposes.