How the cookies crumble

The first time you visit openreach.co.uk next week, you'll more than likely see a message about cookies. Don't worry, we've not branched out into catering; instead we're bringing our website in line with the latest online privacy guidelines.

Cookies are small files that allow a website to recognise and track users. They basically make the experience of using a website better.

We use different types of cookies on our site, based on the International Chamber of Commerce (ICO) cookie category guide:

• strictly necessary cookies enable services you have asked for on our site but the information isn't shared with any other site
• performance cookies collect anonymous information on the pages you visit. Again, this information is not used for advertising on other sites
• functional cookies remember choices you make to improve your experience and, as above, aren't used for advertising on other sites
• targeting cookies share information about your browsing habits with third parties to help make advertising relevant to you and your interests.

From next week you'll be able to control which type of cookies you accept from our site – and can change the settings easily at any time. You'll only get a message about cookies the first time you visit, so if you're happy with the way things are, you just accept the default settings and continue as normal.