Terms of Use for TPBI Website

Please read the following information carefully:

This website uses both its own cookies and third-party cookies to provide visitors with a much better browsing experience and services tailored to the needs and interests of each individual.

In accordance with the EU “e-Privacy” Directive, in effect from May 26, 2012, and the provisions of Law no. 506 of November 17, 2004, on the processing of personal data and privacy protection in the electronic communications sector, all visitors to the website are required to give their consent before cookies are transmitted to their computers.

What is a “cookie”? An “Internet Cookie” (also known as a “browser cookie,” “HTTP cookie,” or simply “cookie”) is a small file made up of letters and numbers that will be stored on the computer, mobile terminal, or other equipment of a user accessing the Internet. The cookie is installed by a web server requesting the browser (e.g., Internet Explorer, Chrome) and is completely “passive” (it does not contain software programs, viruses, or spyware and cannot access information on the user’s hard drive).

Purpose and use of cookies The TPBI website installs cookies only to improve the functions provided so that the experience of visiting the site becomes more enjoyable. TPBI does not use cookies to collect, process, distribute, or record personal data.

Cookies play an important role in facilitating access and delivering the multiple services that the user enjoys on the Internet, such as: • Personalizing certain settings, such as: – the language in which a site is viewed; – the currency in which certain prices or rates are displayed; – accessing previous preferences by using the “Forward” and “Back” buttons. • Cookies provide website owners with feedback on how their sites are used by users so that they can make them more efficient and accessible to users; • Allow multimedia or other types of applications from other sites to be embedded in a particular site, creating a more valuable, useful, and pleasant browsing experience; • Improve the efficiency of online advertising.

What are the advantages of cookies?

A cookie contains information that links a web browser (user) to a specific web server (the website). If a browser accesses that web server again, it can read the information already stored and react accordingly. Cookies ensure users a pleasant browsing experience and support many websites’ efforts to provide comfortable services to users, such as online privacy preferences, language options for the site, shopping carts, or relevant advertising.

What is the lifespan of a cookie?

Cookies are managed by web servers. The lifespan of a cookie can vary significantly depending on its purpose. Some cookies are used only for a single session (session cookies) and are not retained once the user leaves the website, while other cookies are retained and reused each time the user returns to that website (persistent cookies). However, cookies can be deleted by a user at any time through the browser settings.

What are third-party cookies?

Certain sections of content on some websites may be provided through third parties or suppliers (e.g., a news-box, a video, or an advertisement). These third parties can place cookies through another website, and they are called “third-party cookies” because they are not placed by the website owner. Third-party suppliers must also comply with the applicable laws and privacy policies of the website owner. These cookies can come from third parties such as facebook.com, twitter.com, etc.

How are cookies used by the website?

A visit to the website may place cookies for the purposes of:

• Improving website performance;

• Visitor analysis;

• Geotargeting;

• User registration.

Other third-party cookies

On some pages, third parties may set their own anonymous cookies to track the success of an application or to personalize an application. Due to the way they are used, the website cannot access these cookies, just as third parties cannot access the cookies owned by the website. For example, when a user shares an article using a social media button on a website, the social network will record the user’s activity, not the website where the button is located.

What type of information is stored and accessed through cookies?

Cookies store information in a small text file that allows a website to recognize a browser. The web server will recognize the browser until the cookie expires or is deleted.

Why are cookies important for the Internet?

Cookies are central to the efficient functioning of the Internet, helping to create a browsing experience that is friendly and tailored to each user’s preferences and interests. Refusing or disabling cookies can make some websites impossible to use. Refusing or disabling cookies does not mean the user will no longer receive online advertising – it just means that it will no longer consider the user’s preferences and interests, which are revealed through their browsing behavior.

Important uses of cookies (which do not require user authentication through an account): • Content and services tailored to user preferences – categories like news, weather, sports, maps, local and government services, entertainment websites, etc. • Offers tailored to users’ interests – saving passwords, language preferences (e.g., displaying search results in Romanian). • Retention of child protection filters for online content (family mode options, safe search functions). • Measurement, optimization, and analytics features – such as confirming a certain level of traffic on a website, what type of content is viewed, and how a user reaches a website (e.g., via search engines, directly, from other websites, etc.). Website owners run these analyses to improve websites for the benefit of users.

Security and Privacy Issues

Cookies are NOT viruses! They use plain text formats. They are not made of pieces of code, so they cannot be executed or run automatically. As a result, they cannot duplicate or replicate over networks—making them unable to run or replicate. Because they cannot perform these functions, they cannot be considered viruses. However, cookies can be used for negative purposes. Since they store information about users’ preferences and browsing history, both on a specific website and across other websites, cookies can be used as a form of spyware. Many anti-spyware products are aware of this fact and regularly mark cookies for deletion during anti-virus/anti-spyware scanning/cleaning processes. In general, browsers have built-in privacy settings that offer different levels of cookie acceptance, validity periods, and automatic deletion after a user visits a particular site.

Other Security Aspects Related to Cookies

Since protecting identity is a valuable right for every Internet user, it is important to be aware of potential issues cookies may cause.

Because cookies transmit information continuously in both directions between the browser and website, if an attacker or unauthorized person intercepts the data transmission process, the information contained in the cookie could be compromised. Although this is very rare, it can happen if the browser connects to the server using an unencrypted network (e.g., an unsecured WiFi network).

Other cookie-based attacks involve misconfigurations of cookies on web servers. If a website fails to instruct the browser to only use encrypted channels, attackers can exploit this vulnerability to deceive browsers into sending information through insecure channels. Attackers then use this information to gain unauthorized access to certain websites.

It is very important for users to be cautious when selecting the most appropriate method for protecting personal information.

Tips for Safe and Responsible Browsing Based on Cookies

Due to their flexibility and the fact that most of the most visited websites, including the largest ones, use cookies, they are almost inevitable. Disabling cookies will prevent users from accessing the most common and widely used websites, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Gmail, Yahoo, and others.

Here are some tips to ensure you browse safely, yet with the help of cookies:

  • Customize your browser settings for cookies to reflect a comfortable security level for you when using cookies.
  • If you don’t mind cookies and are the only person using your computer, you can set long expiration dates for storing browsing history and personal access data.
  • If you share access to your computer, consider adjusting your browser to delete individual browsing data every time you close the browser. This is a way to access websites that place cookies and delete any visiting information when the browsing session ends.
  • Install and constantly update anti-spyware applications. Many spyware detection and prevention applications include detection of attacks on websites. These prevent the browser from accessing websites that could exploit browser vulnerabilities or download dangerous software.
  • Make sure your browser is always up to date. Many cookie-based attacks are carried out by exploiting vulnerabilities in older browser versions.

Cookies are everywhere and cannot be avoided if you want to enjoy access to the best and largest websites on the Internet – local or international. With a clear understanding of how they operate and the benefits they bring, you can take the necessary security measures to browse the Internet with confidence.

How to Proceed if You Don’t Want Cookies Installed on Your Computer

There are individuals for whom storing information extracted from their computer or mobile device can feel somewhat invasive, especially when this information is stored and used by third parties they do not know. If you prefer, you have the option to block all cookies, or only certain ones, or even delete cookies that have been installed on your device. However, please be aware that you may risk not being able to use certain functions. To enable this block, you need to modify the privacy settings of your browser. Some third-party operators have developed tools that allow you to disable the collection and use of data.

Disabling and refusing cookies can make certain websites impractical or difficult to visit and use. Also, refusing cookies does not mean that the user will no longer see online ads. It is possible to configure your browser so that these cookies are not accepted, or to configure your browser to accept cookies from a specific website. However, for example, if a user is not logged in using cookies, they may not be able to leave comments. All modern browsers offer the ability to change cookie settings. These settings are typically found in the “Options”, “Settings”, or “Preferences” menus of the browser.

Terms and Conditions of Use for www.tpbi.ro

Acceptance of Conditions

www.tpbi.ro is the official website of TPBI to ensure greater transparency and a better understanding of TPBI’s activities.
Using the www.tpbi.ro website (hereinafter referred to as “site”) implies full acceptance of the terms and conditions outlined below.
The terms and conditions may be modified at any time by the site administrator (hereinafter referred to as “Administrator”) without prior notice to the individuals using the site (hereinafter referred to as “Users”).
Users will have permanent access to the terms and conditions for using the services so they can consult them at any time.
By accessing and navigating this site, Users implicitly accept the usage terms described below. If they do not agree with the terms and conditions set forth, Users must cease accessing this service.

Description of Services

Through its sections, the website www.tpbi.ro provides users with information, legal acts, regulations, and news related to TPBI activities.

What is an electronic service?

On the website www.tpbi.ro, an electronic service refers to a resource provided via the internet to improve the communication process between citizens and TPBI.

There are two types of electronic services provided by www.tpbi.ro:

  • Informational services: These ensure that citizens, the press, or other interested parties have easy and efficient access to information, facilitating the consultation of documents issued by TPBI.
  • Electronic communication services: These allow better contact with citizens, civil society, and other interested parties, using feedback mechanisms to improve TPBI services and activities.

Disclaimer

TPBI maintains this website to facilitate public access to information regarding its activities. The administrator makes efforts to ensure that this information is accurate and provided in a timely manner. In case of errors, the administrator will try to correct them as quickly as possible.

The information provided:

  • Is for general purposes only;
  • Is not necessarily comprehensive, complete, correct, or up-to-date;
  • May contain links to other websites, the content of which TPBI does not control and for which it assumes no responsibility.

A document available on the site does not necessarily reproduce the text of an official document. Only documents and legal acts published on paper by the competent authorities are considered authentic.

The administrator assumes no responsibility in case certain information is provided with delays, is lost, deleted, or cannot be stored on our servers for any reasons. Additionally, the administrator does not assume any responsibility for the consequences that may arise due to delays, losses, or inaccuracies of the information published or existing on the site.

Users will use the information provided on the site at their own risk. In the event of harm caused by the use of the services or information provided, users agree that the administrator will be absolved of any responsibility.

The disclaimer does not affect TPBI’s obligation to comply with applicable law and cannot exclude any legal obligations imposed on TPBI.

General Rules

The website administrator declares the following:

  • They will make all reasonable efforts to achieve the purpose of the website.
  • They will make all efforts (technically or otherwise) to ensure the proper functioning of the website. However, there may be interruptions or inability to access the website by users for an indefinite period of time, for any reason.
  • As new situations arise that require it, the Administrator may modify the terms and conditions of use.

It is possible that the website or the information displayed may contain links to other websites and/or forms or services managed by third parties.
This Privacy Policy does not include the practices and policies of these third parties related to their services or websites. TPBI does not control these websites and/or third-party forms. Users will need to consult and verify the privacy policy of these websites/services before accessing or using them.

In general, the data requested through the forms available on the site are mandatory and necessary for the user to be able to access and/or use the services related to the respective form. For example, this applies to handling requests, petitions, suggestions, and complaints, including through third-party legal entities. The form may indicate, if applicable, certain data as optional.

If all the required and necessary data are not provided, TPBI may, in certain cases, suspend access to the service or refuse to process the non-compliant request made by the user.