Cookie Preferences

When you visit nearly any website, that site may store or retrieve certain pieces of information from your browser. This is most commonly done through the use of small text files known as cookies. The information stored in these cookies can relate to many different aspects of your visit, including your preferences, your device, and how you interact with the site. In many cases, cookies are essential for the website to function exactly as you expect it to. They help with basic tasks like keeping you logged in, remembering what items you have placed in a shopping cart, or ensuring that pages load correctly. While the information collected through cookies often does not directly identify you as a specific individual, it still contributes to a more personalized and efficient web experience. Because The Hershey Company values your privacy, you have the ability to choose which types of cookies you allow when visiting its websites. You can learn more about each category of cookies by reading the descriptions provided, and you can change the default settings based on your personal comfort level. It is important to understand that blocking certain categories of cookies may affect how the website functions and what services the company can offer to you.

The first category is strictly necessary cookies. These cookies are absolutely essential for the operation of the website, and they cannot be turned off within the website’s own systems. They are usually set only in direct response to actions you take that amount to a request for services. For example, when you set your privacy preferences, log into your account, fill out a form, or add items to your shopping cart, strictly necessary cookies are activated to enable those functions. Because they are so critical to the basic operation of the site, you cannot disable them through the website’s cookie preference tools. However, you do have the option to adjust your browser settings to block these cookies or to alert you whenever they are being set. It is important to know that if you choose to block strictly necessary cookies through your browser, some parts of the website may not work properly. Pages might not load as expected, forms may fail to submit, or you may be logged out unexpectedly. For this reason, most users leave strictly necessary cookies enabled to ensure a smooth browsing experience.

The next category is performance cookies. These cookies help the company understand how visitors interact with the website by collecting and reporting information about traffic sources, page visits, and user behavior. Performance cookies allow The Hershey Company to measure which pages are the most popular and which pages receive the fewest visits. They also show how visitors move through the site, where they click, how long they spend on each page, and whether they encounter any errors. All of the information collected by performance cookies is aggregated, meaning it is grouped together with data from many other users. This aggregation makes the data anonymous because it cannot be traced back to any specific individual. Performance cookies are extremely useful for improving the quality of the website. They help the company identify areas that are working well and areas that need attention. If you decide not to allow performance cookies, the company will not have visibility into your visit for analytical purposes. This means that while you can still use the website, the company loses valuable information that helps make the site better for everyone over time.

The third category is functional cookies. These cookies enable enhanced features and personalization on the website. For example, functional cookies might remember a video you have already watched so that it does not automatically replay, or they might keep track of your preferred language or region so that you do not have to select it every time you visit. Functional cookies also support live chat features, allowing customer service teams to assist you in real time. Some of these cookies are set by the company itself, while others are set by third-party providers whose services have been added to the pages. These third parties may include social media platforms that offer sharing buttons or embedded content. If you choose not to allow functional cookies, some or all of these enhanced features may not work as intended. You might still be able to read content and navigate the website, but personalized touches that make the experience more convenient could be missing. For users who value convenience and personalization, keeping functional cookies enabled is generally a good choice.

The fourth category is targeting cookies. These cookies are set through the website by advertising partners. They are used differently from the other categories because their primary purpose is to support advertising rather than website operation or performance. Targeting cookies allow advertising companies to build a profile of your interests based on your browsing behavior across different websites. For example, if you visit a recipe page on a food website, targeting cookies might note that interest and later show you an advertisement for cooking ingredients on a completely different site. These cookies need only to identify your browser and your device in order to function. They do not necessarily know your name or email address, but they recognize the unique signature of your browser. This recognition allows advertisers to deliver relevant advertisements to you as you move across the internet. If you decide not to allow targeting cookies, you will still see advertisements, but those advertisements will be less relevant to your specific interests. Instead of seeing ads for products you have recently viewed or searched for, you will see more generic ads that are not tailored to you. Some users prefer this because they value privacy over personalization, while others prefer relevant ads because they discover products they actually want. The choice is yours.

The Hershey Company gives you control over these categories through its cookie preference tools. You are not required to accept all cookies. You can review each category, understand what it does, and decide which ones to turn on or off. The only exception is strictly necessary cookies, which are required for basic site functions and therefore do not have a toggle to disable them within the website’s preference center. However, as noted above, you may still block them through browser settings if you understand the risks to site functionality. For all other categories, you can freely choose your settings. The company remembers your choices and applies them to your future visits. You can also change your mind at any time by returning to the cookie preference link and updating your selections. If you have questions about how cookies work or about the specific data practices of The Hershey Company, you are encouraged to reach out. The team can be contacted by email at lilysa@outlook.com or by phone at (751) 784-8462. Understanding your privacy options is the first step toward making informed choices about your online experience.