Cookies

Cookies

Government.nl (like other websites that are part of the Central Government Online Platform) uses cookies and web analytics to anonymously analyse visitor behaviour on the website. This page explains what cookies Government.nl uses and for what purpose.

Cookies do not contain personal details

A cookie is a small text file with a unique number. When you visit a website, the website will often place cookies on your computer, tablet or smartphone. The cookies used by Government.nl do not contain personal data. This means you can use the website anonymously.

Purpose of cookies: improving the website

Government.nl uses analytical cookies to monitor and understand how visitors use the site. This helps to improve the website. It shows where users require more information and how the site can be made more user-friendly.

No permission required for analytical cookies

Under the Telecommunications Act (also known as the ‘Cookies Act’) visitors do not have to give permission for the kind of cookies placed by Government.nl. This is because analytical cookies have a very limited impact on privacy.

Cookies for web analytics

Government.nl places cookies in order to perform web analytics in the program Piwik. The Ministry of General Affairs gathers the following data in Piwik:

  • devices and software used (devices, browsers and operating system)
  • links used to reach our website
  • links used within the website
  • search terms used in the search feature on the website itself.

Cookies for user surveys

Visitors to the website may be asked for their opinion about the website. Government.nl conducts anonymous user surveys using the Mopinion software program. This involves loading a survey script and placing cookies. The script determines whether a visitor is shown survey questions and which questions they are shown. This depends on which page the visitor is on, for example.

No tracking cookies

Government.nl does not use tracking cookies. Tracking cookies can follow visitors as they visit different websites. As a result, the website does not support the Do Not Track (DNT) web browser feature.