Cookies Policy

Effective Date: 8th of February, 2026
Last Updated: 19th of February, 2026

1. Introduction

This Cookies Policy explains how the International Online Crime Coordination Center (IOC3) uses cookies and similar technologies on our website and services.

IOC3 is committed to transparency about the technologies we use. This policy should be read together with our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

2. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, smartphone, tablet) when you visit a website. Cookies are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and provide information to website owners.

Similar technologies include:

Local storage - Data stored in your browser
Session storage - Temporary data stored during your browsing session
Pixels and beacons - Small invisible images used to track activity

Throughout this policy, we use "cookies" to refer to cookies and similar technologies.

3. How IOC3 Uses Cookies

IOC3 uses a minimal cookie approach. We only use cookies that are strictly necessary for our Services to function.

3.1 Cookies We Use

Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are essential for our website and reporting platform to function. They enable core functionality such as:

Security and authentication - Protecting against malicious activity and securing your session
Load balancing - Distributing traffic across our servers for optimal performance
Form functionality - Enabling report submission and form completion
Session management - Maintaining your session state as you navigate our platform

3.2 Cookies We Do NOT Use

IOC3 does NOT use:

Analytics or tracking cookies - We do not use Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, or similar tracking technologies
Advertising cookies - We do not display advertisements or use remarketing
Social media cookies - We do not embed social media tracking (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
Third-party marketing cookies - We do not allow third-party advertisers or marketers to place cookies
Profiling or behavioral tracking cookies - We do not track your browsing behavior across websites

4. Third-Party Cookies

IOC3 does not allow third-party cookies from analytics, advertising, or social media platforms.

4.1 AWS Services

Our Services are hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS). AWS may use technical cookies necessary for infrastructure operation, such as:

Load balancing
Content delivery (CloudFront CDN)
Security and DDoS protection

These cookies are strictly necessary for service delivery and security. AWS does not use these for tracking or advertising purposes.

4.2 Cloudflare Turnstile

We use Cloudflare Turnstile as a security and anti-bot measure to protect our report submission forms. Turnstile may set strictly necessary cookies or similar local storage tokens to validate legitimate human traffic and prevent abuse. These technologies are used only for security and are not used for advertising, analytics, or tracking.

4.3 External Links

If you click on links to external websites (law enforcement agencies, partner organizations, educational resources), those websites may place their own cookies. IOC3 is not responsible for the cookie practices of third-party websites. We encourage you to review the privacy and cookie policies of any external sites you visit.

5. Your Choices and Control

5.1 Browser Controls

You can control and manage cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:

View what cookies are stored
Delete cookies
Block cookies from specific websites
Block all cookies
Delete cookies when you close your browser

How to manage cookies in popular browsers:

Chrome: Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and other site data
Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Cookies and website data
Edge: Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Cookies and site data

For more detailed instructions, visit your browser's help section.

5.2 Impact of Blocking Cookies

Because IOC3 only uses strictly necessary cookies, blocking cookies may prevent our Services from functioning properly. Specifically, blocking cookies may:

Prevent report submission
Cause security errors
Result in slower page loading
Prevent form completion
Create session management issues

We do not use optional or non-essential cookies, so there are no "preferences" to manage - all cookies we use are required for basic functionality.

5.3 Anonymous Reporting

If you wish to submit a report without any cookies, you may:

Use your browser's "private" or "incognito" mode (though session cookies may still be temporarily used)
Contact us via email at [email protected] to submit a report through alternative means
Use privacy-focused browsers with strict cookie blocking (though functionality may be limited)

Because we allow anonymous reporting and don't use tracking cookies, your privacy is protected regardless of cookie settings.

6. Do Not Track (DNT)

Some browsers include a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature that signals to websites that you do not want your online activity tracked.

IOC3 respects DNT signals by default because we do not track users across websites or use analytics cookies. Our minimal cookie approach means we are not tracking you regardless of DNT settings.

7. Mobile Applications

IOC3 does not currently operate mobile applications. If we develop mobile apps in the future, this Cookies Policy will be updated to address mobile-specific technologies and identifiers.

8. Changes to This Cookies Policy

We may update this Cookies Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or for legal, regulatory, or operational reasons.

When we make changes, we will:

Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
Post the revised policy on our website
For material changes, provide prominent notice on our website

Your continued use of our Services after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated Cookies Policy.

9. Legal Basis for Using Cookies

9.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

Under GDPR and similar privacy laws, strictly necessary cookies do not require user consent because they are essential for the service you have requested (submitting reports, accessing our platform).

IOC3 relies on the "strictly necessary" exemption for all cookies we use. We do not use cookies that require consent.

9.2 Compliance

Our cookie practices comply with:

EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
ePrivacy Directive (Cookie Law)
New Zealand Privacy Act 2020
California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)
Other applicable privacy regulations

10. Children's Privacy

IOC3's Services are available to individuals of all ages, including minors. We do not use tracking or advertising cookies that collect personal information from children.

The strictly necessary cookies we use do not collect or process personal information beyond what is essential for technical functionality and security.

11. International Data Transfers

Cookies set by our Services may result in technical data being transferred to AWS data centers, which may be located in various countries. These transfers are necessary for service delivery and are covered by appropriate safeguards as described in our Privacy Policy.

12. More Information About Cookies

To learn more about cookies and how they work, you can visit:

All About Cookies: https://www.allaboutcookies.org/
Your Online Choices (EU): https://www.youronlinechoices.com/
Network Advertising Initiative: https://www.networkadvertising.org/understanding-online-advertising

13. Contact Us

If you have questions about our use of cookies or this Cookies Policy, please contact us:

Email: [email protected]

By using IOC3's Services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Cookies Policy.

Cookie Policy