ABBOTT COOKIE POLICY 

This Cookie Policy is intended to supplement the Abbott Privacy Policy and other applicable privacy notices and provides additional information about Abbott’s use of cookies on our websites, mobile applications and digital services (collectively “websites”).

WHAT ARE COOKIES AND WHY ARE THEY USED?

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. For example, after you have entered personal information into a form or data field on an Abbott website, Abbott may use cookies and other similar technologies to allow that website to "remember" your personal preferences, such as sections of that website that you visit frequently and, if you choose, your user ID.

Cookies and similar technologies can make your use of Abbott websites easier by allowing Abbott to provide better service, customize sites based on consumer preferences, compile statistics, analyze trends, and otherwise administer and improve Abbott websites. Certain features of Abbott websites may not work without use of required cookies or similar technologies.

Abbott websites may use similar technologies such as “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 website 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 TYPES OF COOKIES AND OTHER TRACKING TECHNOLOGIES ARE USED?

Session or Persistent Cookies

Abbott websites use “session” cookies. These are temporary bits of information that are erased once you exit your web browser window or turn your computer off. Session cookies are used, for example, to improve navigation on our websites, 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 our website is below.

Abbott websites may use “persistent” cookies that are more permanent bits of information placed on the hard drive of your computer until 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 website visitors find most valuable, and customizing the website based on your preferences.  Persistent cookies placed by an Abbott website on your computer may hold personal information you have provided, but only if you have registered or have consented to it. Otherwise, our webserver only knows that an unidentified visitor with your cookies has returned to the website.

First or Third-Party Cookies

Abbott websites may use “First-Party” or “Third-Party” cookies. “First-Party” cookies are sent to the user's device from a domain managed by Abbott as the owner of the website, while “Third-party” cookies are sent to the user's device from a domain that is not managed by Abbott but by a third-party.  We recommend that you check the relevant third-party's privacy policies for information about any cookies which may be used.

Cookie Categories

Abbott websites may use cookies for different purposes, such as technical, functional or advertising purposes. Abbott is in the process of updating the cookie preference center. Depending on the Abbott website you visit, the cookie categories and descriptions in the cookie preference center may be different. Applicable cookie categories and descriptions on our websites are set forth below:

Cookie Categories for Websites Not Yet Updated:

Required: These cookies are necessary to enable the basic features of this site to function, such as providing secure log-in or remembering how far you are through an order. Because they are needed for the site’s operation, they are always set to "Active".

Functional: These cookies allow Abbott to analyze your use of the site to evaluate and improve our performance. They may also be used to provide a better customer experience on this site. For example, measuring interactions with particular content, remembering settings, or providing us information about how our site is used.

Advertising: These cookies allow us, through certain data assigned and obtained from the user's device, to store or share with third-parties, information related to a user’s browsing activity on our website, to create an advertising profile and place relevant advertising in our website or those third-parties websites. These Cookies also may facilitate sharing information with social networks or recording your interactions with particular ads.

Cookie Categories for Updated Websites:

Essential: These cookies include those that are provided by our processors and service providers that operate the cookie on our behalf, as well as cookies that are operationally necessary for this website and its core features to function (e.g., website traffic, certain media and video content, bug and fraud prevention). These cookies are always active and cannot be disabled.

Functional: These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalization, including features that are not core to the website’s services (e.g., certain non-core media and video content). These cookies may disclose information to third-parties, which they may use for their own purposes. If you do not allow these cookies then some services may not function properly.

Performance: These cookies allow us to conduct analytics, including to better understand user interactions with the website, such as counting visits and traffic so we can learn what content is most useful or popular to users. These cookies may disclose information to third-parties, which they may use for their own purposes.

Advertising: These cookies help us with our marketing efforts, including our cross-context behavioral and targeted advertising practices, and may provide information to our partners, such as to build a profile of your interests to tailor your digital experience, our services, and show you relevant or personalized ads on other sites more relevant to your interests. These cookies may also include those that perform other purposes (e.g., social media content sharing).

Please note that not all these cookies are used on all Abbott websites.  Depending on the specific site, subdomain or section you are visiting within an Abbott website, some or all these cookies might be used.

WHAT CHOICES DO I HAVE ABOUT COOKIES?

On Abbott websites that use non-essential or non-required cookies and other tracking technologies you can choose to disable the use of those cookies and other tracking technologies that are not necessary to the operation of the website or to the provision of the services you have requested.

When you access some Abbott websites for the first time, a cookie banner will pop up, and you will be able to manage your own preferences by clicking “Your Privacy Choices”.

On other Abbott websites you may be asked to consent to some or all cookies by selecting “Yes” or “No” on each non-essential cookie category and submitting your preferences.

You can also access the cookie preference center at any time by clicking on the “Your Privacy Choices” link at the bottom of the website, to change your preferences.

CHANGES

We may need to update this Cookie Policy in the future and so encourage you to review this Cookie Policy periodically to stay informed about how we are using cookies.

Questions?

If you have questions about this Cookie Policy, you may contact us by clicking on the “Contact Us” link on the website you are visiting or by emailing us at privacy@abbott.com.