IMechE: Cookie policy

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (“IMechE”) uses cookies to make parts of the website work, and to improve the visitor experience.

Within the UK, rules on cookies have been set under the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 (PECR 2003), SI 2003/2426.

Below you will find the following key guidance from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO):

This document outlines the use of cookies on the following websites

IMechE: https://www.imeche.org/
One Birdcage Walk: https://www.onebirdcagewalk.com/
Sonaspection: https://sonaspection.com/
Design Challenge: https://www.imechedesignchallenge.org/
Merchandise Store: https://imecheshop.co.uk/

What is a cookie?

A cookie is a small file of letters and numbers that are stored on a browser or the hard drive of a computer, if agreed. Cookies contain information that is transferred to a computer's hard drive.

Websites use cookies to distinguish you from other users on the website. This helps to provide users with a good experience when you browse the website and enables us to improve the website.

Managing your cookie settings

Chrome
Safari
Edge

Can I disable cookies on the IMechE website?

Yes. A notification regarding cookies appears on each IMechE website, offering users the choice of two options: "I accept" or "I do not accept." You allow only necessary cookies if you disregard the consent banner. It should be noted that certain website features may become inoperable if only necessary cookies are allowed.

Which cookies are being used?

The following cookies are currently being used across the various IMechE websites:

1. Necessary Cookies
2. Google Analytics
3. Google Ad Platforms
4. Microsoft Ad Platforms
5. LinkedIn
6. YouTube
7. Facebook
8. Podbean

You can find more information about the cookies we use and the purposes for which we use them in the subsequent sections and tables below.

Google Signals

Google Signals, a feature within Google Analytics, allows us to gain insights into user behaviour across various devices when users are signed into their Google accounts. This feature is activated when users click "Allow all cookies." It provides aggregated data and reports on user interactions across smartphones, tablets, and desktops. By leveraging data from users who have enabled ad personalisation, we can access reports that include information on user behaviour, such as the number of users who visit our website via multiple devices and the paths they take during interactions. This cross-device tracking capability offers valuable insights into user journeys, helping us make data-driven decisions to improve our services and website functionality, and optimise marketing and advertising strategies.

Privacy Policy

IMechE treats the privacy of its members, customers, and website users very seriously and we take appropriate measures to safeguard your privacy.

Further information can be found on our privacy policy page.

COOKIE REPORT: IMECHE

Below you will find a list of cookies currently being used on the IMechE website.

Necessary

Provider	Cookie Name	Purpose of Cookie	Duration
asf.imeche.org	ARRAffinity	ARRAffinity cookie is set by Azure app service and allows the service to choose the right instance established by a user to deliver subsequent requests made by that user.	session
asf.imeche.org	ARRAffinity SameSite	This cookie is set by Windows Azure cloud, and is used for load balancing to make sure the visitor page requests are routed to the same server in any browsing session.	session
cdn.userway.org	uw-icon-locales	Used to keep settings on the website's accessibility widget. This helps people with e.g. vision disabilities to properly navigate the site.	persistent
Cloudflare	_cf_bm	This cookie is used to distinguish between humans and bots. This is beneficial for the website, in order to make valid reports on the use of their website.	30 mins
imeche.org	ASP.NET_ SessionId	General purpose platform session cookie, used by sites written with Microsoft .NET based technologies. Usually used to maintain an anonymised user session by the server.	session
imeche.org	ApplicationGateway AffinityCORS	No description available	session
imeche.org	ApplicationGateway Affinity	This cookie is set by the Laravel Framework. This cookie is used for managing browsing sessions. It enables keeping the web browser traffic assigned to single server.	session
dec.azureedge.net	LastPageURL	Identifies the last page visited by the visitor.	session
imeche.org	In_or	Registers statistical data on user’s behaviour on the website. Used for internal analytics by the website operator.	1 day
dec.azureedge.net	DecPageMetadata_ b3c6804c-746e- 0c78-6ce7- 8c51082552ed	No description available	persistent
imeche.org	ApplicationGateway AffinityCORS	No description available	session
imeche.org	sf-ins-ssid	No description available	1 hour
imeche.org	sf-ins-pv-id	No description available	session

Google Analytics

Provider	Cookie Name	Purpose of Cookie	Duration
google-analytics. com	_ga	This cookie name is associated with Google Universal Analytics - which is a significant update to Google's more commonly used analytics service. This cookie is used to distinguish unique users by assigning a randomly generated number as a client identifier. It is included in each page request in a site and used to calculate visitor, session and campaign data for the sites analytics reports.	1 year 1 month
google-analytics.com	_gat	Used by google to throttle request rate.	1 day
google-analytics.com	_gid	This cookie is set by Google Analytics. It stores and update a unique value for each page visited and is used to count and track pageviews.	1 day

Google Ad Platforms

Provider	Cookie Name	Purpose of Cookie	Duration
Doubleclick.net	IDE	This cookie is set by Doubleclick and carries out information about how the end user uses the website and any advertising that the end user may have seen before visiting the said website.	1 year
google.com	ds/ga- audiences	Unclassified	session
google -googlesyndication.com	pagead/ landing	Tracks the conversion rate between the user and the advertisement banners on the website - This serves to optimise the relevance of the advertisements on the website.	session
google-analytics.com	gcl_au	Used by Google AdSense for experimenting with advertisement efficiency across websites using their services.	3 months
google.com	sf-data-intell- subject	Used to track visitors on multiple websites, to present relevant advertisement based on the visitor’s preferences.	1 year

*Unclassified cookies are cookies that are currently in the process of being classified.

Provider	Cookie Name	Purpose of Cookie	Duration
linkedin.com	bscookie	LinkedIn sets this cookie to store performed actions on the website.	1 year
linkedin.com	li_gc	Linkedin set this cookie for storing visitor's consent regarding using cookies for non-essential purposes.	6 months
linkedin.com	lidc	LinkedIn sets the lidc cookie to facilitate data center selection.	1 day
linkedin.com	UserMatch History	Ensures visitor browsing- security by preventing cross-site request forgery. This cookie is essential for the security of the website and visitor.	1 Month
linkedin.com	li_sugr	LinkedIn sets this cookie to collect user behaviour data to optimise the website and make advertisements on the website more relevant.	3 months
linkedin.com	Bcookie	Used by the social networking service, LinkedIn, for tracking the use of embedded services.	1 year
linkedin.com	AnalyticsSync History	Linkedin set this cookie to store information about the time a sync took place with the lms analytics cookie.	1 Month

YouTube

These are third-party cookies set by YouTube as some of our webpages contain content from other sites. We have no control over third-party cookies. You will need to visit YouTube in order to turn these cookies off.

Provider	Cookie Name	Purpose of Cookie	Duration
Youtube.com	CONSENT	Used to detect if the visitor has accepted the marketing category in the cookie banner. This cookie is necessary for GDPR-compliance of the website.	2 years
Youtube.com	yt-remote- cast-available	Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded YouTube video.	session
Youtube.com	yt-remote- cast-installed	Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded YouTube video.	session
Youtube.com	yt-remote- connected-devices	Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded YouTube video.	persistent
Youtube.com	yt-remote-device-id	Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded YouTube video.	persistent
Youtube.com	yt-remote- fast-check-period	Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded YouTube video.	session
Youtube.com	yt-remote-session-app	Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded YouTube video.	session
Youtube.com	yt-remote-session-name	Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded YouTube video.	session
Youtube.com	YSC	This cookie is set by YouTube to track views of embedded videos.	session
Youtube.com	VISITOR_INFO1 _LIVE	This cookie is set by Youtube to keep track of user preferences for Youtube videos embedded in sites; it can also determine whether the website visitor is using the new or old version of the Youtube interface.	6 months
Youtube.com	Last_Result_ Entry_Key	Used to track user’s interaction with embedded content.	session
Youtube.com	LogsDatabaseV2:V#\|\| LogsRequestsStore	Pending	persistent
Youtube.com	remote_sid	Necessary for the implementation and functionality of YouTube video-content on the website.	session
Youtube.com	TestCookies Enabled	Used to track user’s interaction with embedded content.	1 day
Youtube.com	YtIdbMeta# databases	Used to track user’s interaction with embedded content.	persistent

Facebook

Provider	Cookie Name	Purpose of Cookie	Duration
imeche.org	_fbp	Facebook sets this cookie to display advertisements when either on Facebook or on a digital platform powered by Facebook advertising after visiting the website.	3 months

Podbean

These are third-party cookies set by Podbean as some of our webpages contain content from other sites. We have no control over third-party cookies. You will need to visit Podbean in order to turn these cookies off.

Provider	Cookie Name	Purpose of Cookie	Duration
Podbean.com	cf_clearance	This cookie, set by Cloudflare, is used to support Cloudflare Bot Management.	30 mins

COOKIE REPORT: ONE BIRDCAGE WALK

Below you will find a list of marketing cookies currently being used on the One Birdcage Walk website.

Necessary Cookies

Provider	Cookie Name	Purpose of Cookie	Type	Duration
Imeche.org	Application Gateway Affinity	Registers which server-cluster is serving the visitor. This is used in context with load balancing, in order to optimize user experience.	Necessary	session
Imeche.org	Application Gateway AffinityCORS	This cookie is used in context with load balancing - This optimises the response rate between the visitor and the site, by distributing the traffic load on multiple network lin ks or servers.	Necessary	session
onebirdcagewalk.com	ARRAffinity	Used to distribute traffic to the website on several servers to optimise response times.	Necessary	session
onebirdcagewalk.com	ARRAffinity Same Site	Used to distribute traffic to the website on several servers in order to optimise response times.	Necessary	session
onebirdcagewalk.com	ASP.NET_ SessionId	Preserves the visitor's session state across page requests.	Necessary	session
cdn.userway.org	uw-icon-locales	Used to keep settings on the website's accessibility widget. This helps people with e.g. vision disabilities to properly navigate the site.	Functionality	persistent

Google Analytics

Provider	Cookie Name	Purpose of Cookie	Type	Duration
onebirdcagewalk.com	_ga	Registers a unique ID that is used to generate statistical data on how the visitor uses the website.	Analytics	2 years
onebirdcagewalk.com	_gat	Used by Google Analytics to throttle request rate.	Analytics	1 day
onebirdcagewalk.com	_gid	Registers a unique ID that is used to generate statistical data on how the visitor uses the website.	Analytics	1 day
onebirdcagewalk.com	_or	Registers statistical data on users' behaviour on the website. Used for internal analytics by the website operator.	Analytics	1 day

Provider	Cookie Name	Purpose of Cookie	Type	Duration
linkedin.com	AnalyticsSync History	LinkedIn set this cookie to store information about the time a sync took place with the lms analytics cookie.	Analytics	1 month
linkedin.com	li_gc	Linkedin set this cookie for storing visitor's consent regarding using cookies for non-essential purposes.	Functionality	6 months
linkedin.com	lidc	LinkedIn sets the lidc cookie to facilitate data center selection.	Functionality	1 day
linkedin.com	UserMatch History	Ensures visitor browsing-security by preventing cross-site request forgery. This cookie is essential for the security of the website and visitor	Functionality	1 month
linkedin.com	bscookie	LinkedIn sets this cookie to store performed actions on the website.	Targeting	1 year
linkedin.com	bcookie	Used by the social networking service, LinkedIn, for tracking the use of embedded services.	Targeting	1 year
linkedin.com	li_sugr	LinkedIn sets this cookie to collect user behaviour data to optimise the website and make advertisements on the website more relevant.	Targeting	3 months

COOKIE REPORT: SONASPECTION

Below you will find a list of marketing cookies currently being used on the Sonaspection website.

Necessary Cookies

Provider	Cookie Name	Purpose of Cookie	Type	Duration
gstatic.com	rc::a	This cookie is used to distinguish between humans and bots.	Necessary	Persistent
gstatic.com	rc::c	This cookie is used to distinguish between humans and bots.	Necessary	session
my.ukfast.co.uk	Hex (32)	Used to manage server calls in the website’s backend systems.	Necessary	session
Youtube.com	Consent	Used to detect if the visitor has accepted the marketing category in the cookie banner. This cookie is necessary for GDPR-compliance of the website.	Necessary	2 years

Google Analytics

Provider	Cookie Name	Purpose of Cookie	Type	Duration
sonaspection.com	_ga	Registers a unique ID that is used to generate statistical data on how the visitor uses the website.	Analytics	2 years
sonaspection.com	_ga_#	Used by Google Analytics to collect data on the number of times a user has visited the website as well as dates for the first and most recent visit.	Analytics	2 years

YouTube

Provider	Cookie Name	Purpose of Cookie	Type	Duration
Youtube.com	Last_Result_ Entry_Key	Used to track user’s interaction with embedded content.	Targeting	session
Youtube.com	LogsDatabase V2:V#\|\| Logs RequestsStore	Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded YouTube video.	Targeting	persistent
Youtube.com	remote_sid	Necessary for the implementation and functionality of YouTube video-content on the website.	Targeting	session
Youtube.com	TestCookies Enabled	Used to track user’s interaction with embedded content.	Targeting	1 day
Youtube.com	VISITOR_INFO1 _LIVE	Tries to estimate the users' bandwidth on pages with integrated YouTube videos.	Targeting	6 months
Youtube.com	YSC	This cookie is set by YouTube to track views of embedded videos.	Targeting	session
Youtube.com	YtIdbMeta# databases	Used to track user’s interaction with embedded content.	Targeting	persistent
Youtube.com	yt-remote-session-name	These cookies store the user's video player preferences using embedded YouTube video.	Targeting	session
Youtube.com	yt-remote-cast-available	Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded YouTube video.	Targeting	session
Youtube.com	yt-remote-cast-installed	Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded YouTube video.	Targeting	session
Youtube.com	yt-remote-connected-devices	Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded YouTube video.	Targeting	persistent
Youtube.com	yt-remote-device-id	Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded YouTube video.	Targeting	persistent
Youtube.com	yt-remote- fast-check-period	Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded YouTube video.	Targeting	session
Youtube.com	yt-remote-session-app	Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded YouTube video.	Targeting	session

COOKIE REPORT: DESIGN CHALLENGE

Below you will find a list of marketing cookies currently being used on the IMechE Design Challenge website.

These are third-party cookies set by Wordpress as some of our webpages contain content from other sites. We have no control over third-party cookies. You will need to visit the Design Challenge website in order to turn these cookies off.

Necessary Cookies

Provider	Cookie Name	Purpose of Cookie	Type	Duration
forms.office.com	__Request Verification Token	Helps prevent Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks.	Necessary	session
forms.office.com	ai_session	Preserves users states across page requests.	Other Necessary	1 day, 30 mins
microsoft.com	MSFPC	Used widely by Microsoft as a unique user ID. The cookie enables user tracking by synchronising the ID across many Microsoft domains.	Necessary	1 year
Vimeo.com	_cf_bm	This cookie is used to distinguish between humans and bots. This is beneficial for the website, in order to make valid reports on the use of their website.	Necessary	30 mins
cdn.forms.office.net	Object (quot;#-#-#T#:#:#.# Zquot;)	Registers statistical data on users' behaviour on the website. Used for internal analytics by the website operator.	other	persistent
forms.office.com	RpsAuth Nonce	Used to implement Microsoft-forms on the website.	other	30 days
forms.office.com	Microsoft Applications Telemetry DeviceId	Sets a specific device ID. This ID is used by Microsoft to track users' website behaviour and the interaction with Microsoft application on the specific device.	other	session

Google Analytics

Provider	Cookie Name	Purpose of Cookie	Type	Duration
google-analytics.com	collect	Used to send data to Google Analytics about the visitor's device and behaviour. Tracks the visitor across devices and marketing channels.	Analytics	session
google-analytics.com	_ga	This cookie name is associated with Google Universal Analytics - which is a significant update to Google's more commonly used analytics service. This cookie is used to distinguish unique users by assigning a randomly generated number as a client identifier. It is included in each page request in a site and used to calculate visitor, session and campaign data for the sites analytics reports.	Analytics	1 year 1 month

Microsoft Ad Platforms

These are third-party cookies set by Microsoft Ad Platforms as some of our webpages contain content from other sites. We have no control over third-party cookies. You will need to visit the Design Challenge website in order to turn these cookies off.

Provider	Cookie Name	Purpose of Cookie	Type	Duration
microsoft.com	c.gif	Collects data on the user’s navigation and behaviour on the website. This is used to compile statistical reports and heatmaps for the website owner.	Analytics	session
microsoft.com	MC1	Used by Microsoft to keep statistics on what pages the user has visited and how often an ad click leads to a purchase or other actions on the advertiser's website.	Analytics	1 year
microsoft.com	MUID	Used widely by Microsoft as a unique user ID. The cookie enables user tracking by synchronising the ID across many Microsoft domains.	Targeting	1 year
microsoft.com	ANONCHK	Registers data on visitors from multiple visits and on multiple websites. This information is used to measure the efficiency of advertisement on websites.	Targeting	1 day
microsoft.com	MR	Used to track visitors on multiple websites, in order to present relevant advertisement based on the visitor's preferences.	Targeting	7 days
microsoft.com	SM	Registers a unique ID that identifies the user's device during return visits across websites that use the same ad network. The ID is used to allow targeted ads.	Targeting	session

COOKIE REPORT: MERCHANDISE STORE

Below you will find a list of marketing cookies currently being used on the IMechE Merchandise Store website.

These are third-party cookies set by Shopify as some of our webpages contain content from other sites. We have no control over third-party cookies. You will need to visit the IMechE Merchandise Store website in order to turn these cookies off.

Necessary Cookies

Provider	Cookie Name	Purpose of Cookie	Type	Duration
Cdn.shopify. com	Shopify pay Acceleration	The cookie is necessary for the secure checkout and payment functions on the website.	Necessary	persistent
google.com	CONSENT	Used to detect if the visitor has accepted the marketing category in the cookie banner. This cookie is necessary for GDPR compliance of the website.	Necessary	2 years
gstatic.com	pf.keys	This cookie is part of a bundle of cookies set by the websites webshop platform to facilitate images, filter functions and shopping-cart functionalities.	Necessary	persistent
imecheshop. co.uk	_secure_ session_id	Used in connection with navigation through a storefront.	Necessary	1 month
imecheshop. co.uk	secure_ customer_ sig	This cookie is generally provided by Shopify and is used in connection with a customer login.	Necessary	1 year
imecheshop. co.uk	cart_ currency	This cookie is used to recognize the user’s country of origin and populate the correct transaction currency.	Necessary	2 weeks
imecheshop. co.uk	shopify_ pay_ redirect	Used in connection with checkout.	Necessary	1 day
imecheshop. co.uk	_cf_bm	This cookie is used to distinguish between human and bots. This is beneficial for the website, in order to make valid reports on the use of their website.	Necessary	1 day
imecheshop. co.uk	_cmp_a	Used for managing customer privacy settings.	Necessary	1 day
imecheshop. co.uk	cookietest	This cookie is used to determine if the visitor has accepted the cookie consent box.	Necessary	session
imecheshop. co.uk	_tracking_ consent	Tracking preferences.	Necessary	1 year
Shop.app	_pay_ session	This cookie is used in conjunction with the payment window. The cookie is necessary for making secure transactions on the website.	Necessary	session
Shopify.com	_pay_ session	This cookie is used in conjunction with the payment window. The cookie is necessary for making secure transactions on the website.	Necessary	session
Shopify.com	_shopify_d	The cookie is necessary for the secure checkout and payment function on the website.	Necessary	session
imecheshop. co.uk	localization	These cookies are set on pages with the Flickr widget.	Functionality	1 year
imecheshop. co.uk	Keep_alive	Save the users current geographical location based on the user’s IP address.	Functionality	1 day
imecheshop. co.uk	localization	Holds the users timezone.	Functionality	1 year
gstatic.com	allowed_ payment_ methods. https:// imecheshop.co.uk	Unclassified	Targeting	persistent
pay.google. com	TEST COOKIES ENABLED	Used to track user’s interaction with embedded content.	Targeting	1 day
privacy- banner. shopifyapps. com	_example_ session	Unclassified	Un classified*	1 day

*Unclassified cookies are cookies that are currently in the process of being classified.

Google Ad Platforms

Provider	Cookie Name	Purpose of Cookie	Type	Duration
Godog. shopifycloud.com	v1/event.gif	Presents the user with relevant content and advertisement. The service is provided by third-party advertisement hubs, which facilitate real-time bidding for advertisers.	Targeting	session
google.com	NID	Registers a unique ID that identifies a returning user’s device. The ID is used for targeted ads.	Targeting	6 months

Have a question?

If you any questions or comments about this Cookie Policy please contact:

The Data Protection Officer
1 Birdcage Walk
London
SW1H 9JJ

DPO@imeche.org