1. What Are Cookies
Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit internationalenergyclub.org. We also use similar technologies such as local storage, pixel tags, and session tokens. This policy refers to all such technologies collectively as 'cookies'. Cookies help us remember your preferences, keep you logged in, understand how you use the platform, and (where consented) deliver relevant advertising.
2. Categories of Cookies We Use
Strictly Necessary Cookies: These are essential for the platform to function and cannot be switched off. They include session authentication cookies (iec_session, csrf_token), locale preference cookies, and load-balancer routing cookies. No consent is required for these cookies under either 152-FZ or the ePrivacy Directive. Analytics Cookies: We use Yandex.Metrica to understand aggregate usage patterns, page performance and user journeys on the platform. The Yandex.Metrica counter is loaded on every page of internationalenergyclub.org for every visitor, before and regardless of any choice made in the cookie banner. Yandex.Metrica places cookies (_ym_d, _ym_isad, _ym_uid) and may process your IP address and device identifiers on Yandex servers located in Russia. We rely on our legitimate interest in understanding and improving the platform (GDPR Art. 6(1)(f)) and on informing you by way of the cookie banner and this policy (152-FZ); we do not ask for your consent to this counter. For EU/EEA visitors, Yandex.Metrica operates in 'privacy mode' with IP anonymisation and without cross-site tracking. Session replay (Webvisor): Yandex.Metrica's Webvisor is enabled together with the counter and records anonymised on-page interactions — mouse movement, clicks, scrolling, form-field focus and page navigation — to reconstruct session recordings and heatmaps (clickmap) used solely for UX and performance analysis. Sensitive inputs (passwords, one-time codes, payment-card fields, and fields we mark as private) are masked and not recorded. Webvisor may set additional Yandex cookies / local-storage entries (e.g. _ym_visorc). You can stop the counter and Webvisor on your device at any time using the opt-out methods described in Section 5. Marketing and Personalisation Cookies: We do not currently set any marketing or personalisation cookies. The cookie banner records your choice for this category so that, should we introduce such cookies in future (for example to recognise return visits and tailor content recommendations within the platform), they will be used only where you have opted in. We do not serve third-party advertising. Functional Cookies: These remember your display preferences (theme, language) across sessions and do not require consent as they serve a functional purpose.
3. Consent Management
On your first visit to internationalenergyclub.org, a cookie notice banner is displayed. It informs you that strictly necessary cookies and the Yandex.Metrica counter (including Webvisor) are in use, and it records your choice for the marketing category: you may accept all, reject all, or customise by category. Your choice is not stored in a cookie; it is stored in your browser's local storage under the key iec-consent-v1, together with the time of your decision, and a record of the decision is journalled on our servers for audit purposes (152-FZ Art. 22 / GDPR Art. 7(1)). Clearing your browser's site data removes the stored choice and the banner will be shown again. You may review or change your choice at any time via the 'Cookie settings' link in the page footer, which reopens the banner. Please note that the analytics toggle in the banner records your preference only: it does not switch the Yandex.Metrica counter on or off, because the counter is loaded on every page (see Section 2). To stop the counter on your device, use the opt-out methods described in Section 5. No marketing cookies are currently set, whatever your choice. Where your choice does amount to consent, its withdrawal does not affect the lawfulness of processing carried out before withdrawal.
4. Third-Party Cookies
The only current third-party analytics tool is Yandex.Metrica. Because the Yandex.Metrica counter is loaded on every page, Yandex sets its own cookies on your device from your first page view; these are governed by the Yandex Privacy Policy (yandex.ru/legal/confidential) and are served from the mc.yandex.ru domain. For embedded map or video content from third-party providers, those providers may also set cookies subject to their own policies. We do not use Google Analytics, Meta Pixel, or similar global advertising networks.
5. How to Control Cookies
You can control cookies via your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies, either for all sites or for specific domains. Blocking strictly necessary cookies will impair platform functionality. To opt out of Yandex.Metrica (including Webvisor) on your device, install the Yandex.Metrica opt-out browser add-on (yandex.ru/support/metrica/general/opt-out.html) or block cookies and scripts from the mc.yandex.ru domain in your browser or content-blocker settings; either method prevents the counter from collecting data from your browser. We do not currently act on the 'Do Not Track' or 'Global Privacy Control' browser signals. The 'Cookie settings' link in the page footer reopens the cookie banner so you can review or change your recorded choice for the marketing category. For mobile devices, use the privacy settings provided by your operating system.
6. Retention of Cookie Data
Session cookies expire when you close your browser. Persistent cookies expire at the dates listed in our Cookie Inventory (available on request from dpo@internationalenergyclub.org). Analytics data collected via Yandex.Metrica is retained for 12 months before automatic anonymisation.
Document versioning and re-acceptance
This document was last updated on Sep 20, 2026. IEC maintains a versioned archive of all prior versions. Where a material change affects the rights or obligations of existing members, affected members are notified by email at least 14 days before the change takes effect. Continued use of the platform after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the updated terms. To request a prior version, contact legal@internationalenergyclub.org.