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Frequently asked questions about cookies

What has changed, and how does this affect me?

We have always used cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. As part of a change in legislation, all websites are now required to provide additional information on what cookies are, how they are used and what benefits they bring.

These changes will not affect the way in which you currently use our website

Do I need to accept cookies?

The current changes to our website simply explain what cookies are, how we use them and what benefits they bring. You are not currently required to do anything, other than read our Cookie Policy to understand these changes.

Do HSBC cookies contain my personal information?

Our cookies do not store personal information such as your name, address, telephone or e-mail.

Do cookies mean I could get cold calls or junk mail?

We never use the data gathered through cookies to contact you via post, e-mail or phone. Our local websites may use cookies to show you subtly tailored content on their site of things they think you might be interested in, but only in relation to HSBC products and services. You will never see advertising on our local websites from anyone other than HSBC Group companies and our agents.

Can cookies pass on my personal information to others?

The only time our local websites may share personal information gathered through cookies, is when you have given them express consent to do so by applying for a product or service. For example, if you were applying for a home insurance policy, they would inform you that they would be passing your details to our trusted home insurance policy provider.

Do cookies compromise my security when I'm logged on to Internet Banking on our local website?

The cookies we use are completely safe. In fact, many of them are used by our local websites purely to provide important security features such as protecting your data and your accounts.

Can cookies allow others access to my computer's hard drive?

The cookies we use cannot look into your computer, smartphone or web-enabled device and obtain information about you or your family or read any material kept on your hard drive.

If I use a public computer, will someone be able to get my details from the cookies?

Our cookies cannot be used by anyone else who has access to the computer to find out anything about you, other than the fact that someone using the computer may have visited a certain website. The cookies from our local websites do not in any way compromise the security of Internet Banking.