1. About the Policy

At Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, administrated by the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT), we are committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information while offering you a seamless and personalized browsing experience. This Cookie Policy explains in a transparent manner how we use cookies and similar technologies on our website and provides you with a clear understanding of our data collection practices.

2. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your computer, mobile device, or any internet-enabled device by our website’s server. They allow the website to remember you during your current browsing session (via “session cookies”) or across multiple sessions (via “persistent cookies”).

Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi’s website uses cookies to enhance usability and performance. While cookies generally do not directly identify you, they may do so indirectly when combined with other information.

3. Why We Use Cookies?

We use cookies for the following purposes:

• Essential functionality: to ensure the smooth operation and security of our website.
• Performance tracking: to analyse how visitors use the site and improve usability.
• Functional enhancement: to remember your preferences and provide a tailored experience.
• Targeting and advertising: to deliver personalised content and measure marketing effectiveness.

4. Cookies Used on Our Website

4.1. Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are essential for the operation of Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi’s website. They enable functions such as security, form submissions, and session management. Without them, the site cannot function properly. They do not store personally identifiable information.

• OptanonConsent (OneTrust cookie management; stores consent choices)
• ASP.NET_SessionId (maintains anonymous user sessions)
• __RequestVerificationToken (anti-forgery, security cookie)
• ARRAffinity (load balancing on Azure)

4.2. Performance Cookies

These cookies help us monitor the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi’s performance and improve the browsing experience.

• _ga - Google Analytics - distinguishes unique users
• _gid - Google Analytics - stores unique session values
• _hjSession_xxxxx - Hotjar - tracks active session data
• _hjSessionUser_xxxxx - Hotjar - assigns persistent user ID

4.3. Functional Cookies

These cookies enhance user experience by remembering your preferences and previously viewed content.

• vuid - Vimeo - stores video preferences
• __cf_bm - Cloudflare bot management

4.4. Targeting / Advertising Cookies

These cookies help us provide more relevant content and advertising based on your interests.

• _fbp (Facebook - advertising and remarketing)
• _gcl_au (Google AdSense - ad efficiency testing)
• uuid2 (AppNexus - targeted advertising services)
• fr (Facebook - personalised ad delivery)
• VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE (YouTube - video tracking for personalised ads)

5. Session and Persistent Cookies

We use both session cookies (temporary, deleted once you close your browser) and persistent cookies (remain until you delete them manually or they expire).

6. Cookie Management

6.1. Consent & Preferences

• Strictly necessary cookies can be used without prior consent.
• You can manage cookie preferences via our banner managed by OneTrust.
• Preferences are remembered for one year unless deleted manually.

6.2. How to Control Cookies via Browser

Most browsers allow you to delete or block cookies. Instructions are available via browser help menus:

• Chrome
• Safari
• Firefox
• Microsoft Edge
• Internet Explorer

Disabling cookies may impact website functionality and limit access to features.

7. Change to This Policy

We may update this policy periodically. Significant changes will be announced on our website, and the “Last Updated” date will be revised.

8. Contact Us

For questions or concerns about this Cookie Policy, please contact: data.privacy@naturalhistorymuseum.ae