III. Use of Cookies and Other Tracking Technologies

Why do Abbott Web Sites use “cookies” and other tracking technologies?

A “cookie” is a file that our webserver may send to your computer when you access an Abbott website. This file is then stored on your computer. After you have entered personal information into a form or data field on an Abbott Web Site, Abbott may use cookies and certain other technologies to allow that Web site to "remember" your personal preferences, such as sections of that Web site that you visit frequently and, if you choose, your user ID.

Passive information collection technologies can make your use of Abbott Web Sites easier by allowing Abbott to provide better service, customize sites based on consumer preferences, compile statistics, analyze trends, and otherwise administer and improve Abbott Web Sites. Certain features of Abbott Web Sites may not work without use of passive information collection technologies.

You can also learn more about cookies by visiting www.allaboutcookies.org

What types of cookies and other tracking technologies do Abbott Web Sites use?

Abbott Web Sites use “session” cookies. Session cookies are temporary bits of information that are erased once you exit your web browser window or otherwise turn your computer off. Session cookies are used, for example, to improve navigation on our web sites, block visitors from providing information where inappropriate (the site "remembers" previous entries of age or country of origin that were outside the specified parameters and blocks subsequent changes) and to collect aggregated statistical information. The list of cookies that are used on the FreeStyle Libre website is available below.

Abbott Web Sites may use “persistent” cookies. Persistent cookies are more permanent bits of information that are placed on the hard drive of your computer and stay there unless you delete the cookie. Persistent cookies store information on your computer for a number of purposes, such as retrieving certain information you have previously provided (e.g., passwords), helping to determine what areas of the web site visitors find most valuable, and customizing the web site based on your preferences on an ongoing basis. Persistent cookies placed by this site on your computer may hold personally identifiable information, but only if you have registered or have otherwise consented to the retention of personally identifiable information you have provided at the site. Otherwise our site's server only knows that an unidentified visitor with your cookies has returned to the site.

Abbott Web Sites may use “web beacons” (also known as internet tags, single-pixel GIFs, clear GIFs, and invisible GIFs) A web beacon is a tiny graphic on a web page or in an e-mail message that is used to track pages viewed or messages opened. Web beacons tell the web site server information such as the IP address and browser type related to the visitor's computer. Web beacons may be placed on online advertisements that bring people to our site and on different pages of our site. Web beacons provide us with information on how many times a page is opened and which information is consulted.

What choices do I have about Abbott’s use of cookies and other tracking technologies?

You can choose to enable or disable the use of cookies and other tracking technologies on Abbott web sites. Exactly how these choices are presented to you and the process for making such choices may vary by web site.

On some Abbott Web Sites, you may be asked to explicitly consent to the use cookies and/or other tracking technologies on that web site. Cookies that are necessary to the operation of the site and to the provision of the services you have requested will continue to function regardless of whether you have provided consent.Other types of cookies and tracking technologies will be turned off until you provide explicit consent. As a result, the functionality of the site may be reduced until you choose to provide explicit consent.

On some Abbott Web Sites, you may be provided with preference questions or boxes allowing you to indicate that you do not want that web site to use cookies or other tracking technologies that are not necessary to the operation of the site. If you choose to exercise this opt-out option, the functionality of the site may be reduced as a result.

Some Internet browsers allow you to limit or disable the use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Please refer to the information provided by your Internet browser for instructions on how to do so (generally found under a “Help” menu).