What is this Cookies Policy?
When you visit Groupon’s Site or use its Services, Groupon and authorized third parties use cookies to collect information about you. This Cookies Policy sets out how we, and third parties we authorize, use cookies when you interact with our Site or the Services offered via the Site. Please review this policy carefully. By continuing to use Groupon’s Site or Services, you consent to the terms of the Cookies Policy.
This Cookies Policy should be read along with our User Privacy Policy and our Merchant Privacy Policy, which explain what we do (and don't do) with the information, including any personal information, we may collect about you.
What are cookies?
Cookies are unique identifiers, usually made up of small bits of text or code. Cookies are usually stored on your device or in your web browser and they send certain information back to the party who served the cookie. When we say cookies, we are actually referring to a broader range of technologies than just cookies, including web beacons, clear gifs, pixels and other similar technologies. When we say first-party cookies we mean cookies that are served by Groupon. When we say third-party cookies we mean cookies that are served by non-Groupon parties.
How are cookies used?
Cookies are used in order to better understand how applications and websites work and to optimize online and mobile experiences. Cookies do this by allowing the party serving the cookie to analyze a website’s or mobile app’s performance, to remember user preferences, to recognize whether a computer or device (and probably its user) has visited a website previously, and to serve personalized advertisements. We may collect this information across browsers or devices, but the interest-based advertising cookie is not associated with and does not contain personal information.
What kinds of cookies are used on the Site?
Our Site primarily uses the following four types of cookies:
1. Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for the operation of our Site. They make it possible for you to browse and use our Site. If you disable these cookies, the Site will not be able to function correctly.
2. Performance Cookies
These cookies gather information about how visitors use the Site and monitor Site performance. For example, performance cookies tell us which pages are popular, monitor traffic to our Site and compile anonymous analytic information. Third-party vendors may collect this information on Groupon’s behalf in order to perform data analytics services for Groupon. Performance cookies can also be used to identify and remedy operational problems with the Site.
3. Functionality Cookies
These cookies are used to recognize and remember your preferences. For example, functionality cookies may use information, such as your location, to make sure that you arrive at a version of our Site that is specific to your city or region.
4. Advertising Cookies
We use first-party and allow third-party cookies on our Site in order to deliver interest-based advertising content on third-party websites and applications. We, and third-party ad servers, use cookies to understand your interest in the advertisements and content delivered to you, as well as to serve you with more relevant ads based on your activities on our Site. For example, cookies used for advertising could record information about whether you have clicked on certain content or advertisements on our Site or other websites, or placed an item on our Site in your shopping cart.
Collection of your personal information by third parties is not governed by this Cookie Policy, our User Privacy Policy or our Merchant Privacy Policy. Please consult the privacy policies of those third parties to determine how they collect and use your personal information. Many third-party advertisers and some web browsers and mobile devices allow you to opt out of third-party advertising. You may opt out of tracking and receiving targeted advertisements on your mobile device by some mobile advertising companies. Please note that opting out through these mechanisms does not opt you out of being served advertising. You will continue to receive generic ads while visiting Sites and elsewhere online.
How else can I opt out of cookies?
You may be able to opt out of the placement of certain cookies by configuring your browser settings or opting out directly with the party that operates and controls the cookie. Please check your browser settings for more information.
Are there cookies in e-mails?
Our e-mails contain cookies that track whether you open our e-mails and whether you click any links within them. The cookies used in our e-mails to monitor these behaviors are unique to each e-mail and are not stored on your computer or mobile device.
What if I have questions?
If, after reading this Cookies Policy, you have any questions please contact the Groupon Privacy Office by email at privacy@groupon.com.