Cookies Notice (formerly the Online Privacy Statement)
This Cookies Notice applies to Manulife websites and mobile applications, collectively referred to as “Sites” throughout this Notice. It explains how we collect, use and disclose information gathered via Cookies and similar digital tracking technologies. It forms part of our Global Privacy Notice and is supplemented in some instances by country or product-specific policies and/or other website terms or agreements that may apply to your relationship with us.
We may update this Notice from time to time. This Notice is current as of the date which appears at the top of this page.
This Notice explains how and why Cookies, web beacons and similar tracking technologies (collectively “Cookies”) may be stored on and accessed from your device when you use or visit our Sites and how you can control your preferences.
What are Cookies and web beacons?
Cookies are small text files of information that are automatically created by your browser on your device when you visit an internet site. Cookies collect and store information about your device, browsing patterns and information you provide; helping Sites remember users and tracking their activities to provide a personalized experience.
Our Sites may also contain electronic images known as web beacons. Web beacons are sometimes referred to as “clear GIF images”, “pixel tags” or “single-pixel GIFs”. Web beacons are usually invisible to a user and are used for many of the same purposes as Cookies. Our mobile apps also use Software Development Kits (SDKs) which collect, process and store different types of information.
The information we collect
The type of information we collect depends on how you use our Sites, but may include:
- the browser and device used
- the address of the site you came from
- the date and time of visit
- the pages visited within our Sites
- searches conducted on our Sites
- the number of times you visit our Sites
- how long you stay on our Sites and at what point you exit
- your geolocation and your Internet Protocol (IP) address
- other information collected via our product specific Sites using Cookies, web beacons and similar technologies (by us or by third parties on our behalf)
In some cases, and where permitted by law, Manulife may allow select third party Cookies to be created when you visit our Sites. These Cookies are used to advertise Manulife products on other companies’ sites and to allow us to track the effectiveness of our marketing.
Types of Cookies on our Sites and how we use them
1. Strictly Necessary Cookies
These Cookies are essential to the basic operation and security of our Sites. They enable core functions such as serving up a webpage, secure login, session management, and allow access to protected areas. They also help us fulfill our legal, regulatory, and security obligations.
Strictly necessary Cookies are always active and do not require your consent. You may adjust your browser settings to block these Cookies, but doing so may impact the functionality and performance of the site.
2. Functional Cookies
These are used to enhance the user experience by enabling personalized features and remembering user preferences. These Cookies allow the website to recall choices such as your sign-in ID, language selection, and display settings, helping to streamline future visits.
If you choose not to allow these Cookies, certain personalized features or services may not function as intended.
3. Performance Cookies
These Cookies help us understand how users interact with our Sites. We study patterns of activity so we can improve the experience of visitors to our Sites by collecting data such as the number of visitors, the time and frequency of visits, which pages are most and least popular, and how users navigate through the site. This information allows us to personalize content, identify performance issues, track engagement, and improve the overall user experience by making it easier to find relevant content and services.
Performance Cookies may already be activated by default, where permitted by law. Where not activated by default, users would need to provide consent explicitly via our Cookie Management tool, where applicable. Where performance Cookies are not activated, our ability to optimize Site performance and content relevance may be limited.
4. Targeting Cookies
These Cookies help us deliver targeted ads and content tailored to your interests based on your interactions with our website. They collect data such as your device type, pages visited, and referral sources. These Cookies also support personalization features, including displaying products or services that may be of interest to you and enabling social media sharing.
Manulife contracts with advertising agencies and marketing firms to promote our products and services, including on third party websites that are not affiliated with us. These contracted service providers may employ interest-based or online behavioral advertising techniques to display advertisements that are more likely to be of interest to you. While you may still see general ads if you disable these Cookies, they won’t be personalized to your activity and are part of broader campaigns.
Targeting Cookies may also be used to pass anonymized data to advertising platforms
5. Social media Cookies
These Cookies are set by a range of social media services that we have added to the Site to enable you to share our content with your networks. They are capable of tracking your browser across other sites and building up a profile of your interests. This may impact the content and messages you see on other websites you visit. If you do not allow these Cookies you may not be able to use these sharing tools.
Duration
Cookies have a duration period. Some Cookies are temporary (session Cookies), while others may stay on your browser until you delete them manually or until your browser deletes them based on the duration set within the Cookie (persistent Cookie).
It’s your choice – managing your Cookies
Most browsers are initially set to accept Cookies. If you would prefer, you can set your browser to disable non-essential Cookies or to inform you when they are set. You also have the ability to delete certain Cookies that you have accepted. Consult your browser's Help Menu for instructions. If you delete or disable certain Cookies, you may not be able to view, use, or take full advantage of features within our Sites.
Many of our Sites allow you to manage or change your Cookie preferences using a Cookie Management Tool. Where applicable, click on the Cookies Settings link within the Cookie banner notice. This banner may no longer be visible if you have already set your Cookie preferences. Delete the “OptanonAlertBoxClosed" Cookie and reload your browser in order to see the Cookie banner again.
We honour the Global Privacy Control opt-out signal sent by participating browsers when you visit our Sites.
Links to other websites
Some of our Sites may contain links to other websites that are not affiliated with Manulife. We do not monitor or maintain the privacy practices of these websites, and do not have authority over them. We do not assume any responsibility for their privacy policies and procedures.
Staying Informed and Connected
We are committed to maintaining transparency in how we collect and use data through Cookies. As digital privacy continues to evolve, we may update this Notice to reflect changes in technology, regulation, and our practices. We will take reasonable steps to communicate any significant changes.
If you have any questions or concerns about our use of Cookies or your privacy rights, please contact us through the channels provided in our Global Privacy Notice.
Country specific information
Certain countries in which we do business may have local requirements that supplement the principles described above. Please refer to the links below our Global Privacy Notice for notices applicable to specific locations or products.