A Captcha helps to distinguish between human and computer-controlled activity. Captcha is the abbreviation for Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart.
Captcha
Information about Captcha
What is a Captcha?
Why does Parliament use Captcha?
We use Captcha for user registration and for forms for submitting comments or support. This prevents automated form filling on the Parliament website.
What types of Captcha does Parliament use on its website?
We use two types of Captcha:
- Visual Captcha:
A moving image with six consecutive letters and/or numbers. To make the visual Captcha visible, click on "Start visual Captcha". The letters and/or numbers are never all visible at once and are repeated until you submit the form. - Audio captcha:
Voice output of the six-digit code consisting of letters and/or numbers.
The security code can either be read aloud by clicking on "Read security code aloud" or downloaded by clicking on "Download security code as audio file" and played on your personal music player.
Please enter the six-digit code correctly in the input field. The moving image or playback will be repeated until you have entered the code correctly in the form and submitted it.
If a code is difficult for you to read or understand, you can request a new security code by clicking on "Request new security code".
- Visual Captcha:
How do I set up my browser correctly?
Please check your browser settings. To successfully request a Captcha code, please ensure that your browser
- accepts session cookies and
- can display animations. This is necessary for a visual Captcha. We use animated GIF files that can be displayed by any standard graphics browser.
Please also check whether your device can play WAV files. This is necessary for an audio Captcha. The device must have a speaker or connected headphones. Please also adjust the volume accordingly. JavaScript must be enabled.
Where is Captcha used on the Parliament website?
We use Captcha for:
- User registration
- Contact form
- Password reset
- Submission of support for citizens' initiatives, petitions and statements
- Submitting statements on ministerial drafts, legislative initiatives, citizens' initiatives and petitions
- Registration for public events
- Registering for guided tours
- Registering for Democracy Workshop workshops
Frequently asked questions about Captcha
Why can I see a graphic but no letters or numbers?
If you see Captcha without moving characters in the graphic, this is due to your browser settings. Enable the display of animated content.
Why is the Captcha recognised as incorrect even though I am entering it correctly?
Since the Captcha is verified using several criteria to protect against automated filling, in certain cases a correctly filled Captcha may be rejected. In this case, first check whether JavaScript is enabled in your browser and whether cookies are accepted.
If the problem persists, please try the following measures:
- Disable all browser extensions.
- Certain browser extensions (especially those related to the processing of cookies and images) prevent the visual Captcha from being verified correctly. Disable these and try again.
- Perform the request using a different browser, a different computer or a different network.
The Captcha entry still doesn't work? Please contact us at info@parlament.gv.at.
Do I always have to enter the Captcha code for support or comments?
No, anyone who is registered on the Parliament website has already successfully completed the Captcha test. Registered users do not need to perform a Captcha test when participating in pre-parliamentary and parliamentary reviews.
Can I change the status of my support or comment?
After you have submitted your support or comment, you will receive an automatically generated email with a link. You can use this link to view and change the publication status of your support or comment. Please note that you must first confirm your email address if you were not already registered on the Parliament website.
If you have any questions or problems, please send an email to info@parlament.gv.at. We will be happy to make the change for you.
How can I tell if I am logged in?
If your username and the gold icon for your profile are displayed in the top right-hand corner of the Parliament website, you are logged in.
If the profile icon is not gold and your username is not displayed, you are not logged in.
I share my email address with other people. Can I submit endorsements?
We have programmed the electronic support so that two supports are possible from one email address. However, different names and postal addresses must be used. More than two supports with one email address are not possible.
Error messages related to the Captcha
Why do I get an error message when I click on the confirmation link?
This may be because:
- You have already supported an item but have not yet clicked on the confirmation link. If you support this item again, you will receive a new link. Please click on this new link. The old link will no longer be valid.
- You receive the message: "This operation was cancelled due to existing restrictions on this computer. Please contact your system administrator." You will probably also be unable to open other links in Outlook or other Office programmes on your computer. In this case, we cannot help you resolve the problem. You can find a possible solution at Microsoft Support.
Why am I not receiving the email with the link?
Please check your spam folder. The email may have been misplaced there.
Some email providers filter spam on the server. The email may also have been caught there.
You may not have entered your email address correctly. Please fill out the participation form again and make sure your email address is spelled correctly.
Why do I get a "maintenance" message when I try to participate?
You will receive this message when regular maintenance work is being carried out or our servers are overloaded. Please try filling out the participation form again a little later.
Why does "Read security code" reload the page and clear my form?
JavaScript is probably disabled in your browser. Please read the section "How do I enable JavaScript?".
Why does clicking on the "Send" button reload the page and clear my form?
Cookies are probably disabled in your browser. Please read the section "How do I enable cookies?".
Why can't I hear the audio Captcha?
If you cannot hear the audio Captcha, audio playback may not be working on your system.
You can check this by trying to play any audio file. For example, play an audio CD or an MP3 file.
To play audio content, you also need suitable playback devices: internal or external speakers, headphones or a headset. External playback devices may be equipped with their own volume controls or mute functions. Please note the respective settings.
How do I enable JavaScript?
Microsoft Edge
- Open the menu via the three dots in the top right-hand corner.
- Click on "Settings" or the gear icon.
- Now click on "Cookies and website permissions".
- Scroll down to "JavaScript" in the "All permissions" section.
- Click on the slider under "Allowed" to allow JavaScript.
- Finish editing the settings by closing the settings window and reloading the page. Once you have successfully given your consent, you can undo the changed settings.
Mozilla Firefox
Please note: Enabling JavaScript in Mozilla Firefox requires changing the configuration. If done incorrectly, this can cause Firefox to stop working. If you are unsure, please seek help from someone with IT expertise.
- Enter about:config in the Firefox address bar, then press the Enter key.
- Confirm the warning by clicking on "I'll be careful, I promise".
- Enter javascript.enabled in the "Search" field. The search should start as soon as you begin typing.
- Change the value "false" in the line "javscript.enabled" to "true" by double-clicking on this line.
- Reload the web page to activate the JavaScript functions.
Google Chrome
- Enter chrome://settings in the Chrome address bar and press the Enter key.
- Click on "Show advanced settings" and then on "Content settings ...".
- In the content settings, click on "Manage exceptions..." under "JavaScript".
- Now enter www.parlament.gv.at under "Hostname pattern" and select "Allow" under "Behaviour".
- Finish editing the settings by clicking on "Done" and "Done".
- Close the "Settings" tab and reload the page to activate the JavaScript functions.
- Once you have successfully given your consent, you can remove the changed setting again.
- To remove the exception, open the "Exceptions for JavaScript" window.
- Move the mouse pointer to the end of the line with the entry www.parlament.gv.at and click on the X to the right of "Delete on exit" or "Allow".
- Finish editing the settings by clicking on "Done" and "Done".
Apple and Safari on OS X
- In Safari, press the Cmd + comma keys or click on "Safari" in the Safari menu bar and then on "Preferences".
- Go to the "Security" section and tick "Enable JavaScript".
- Close the settings dialogue box and reload the page. This will activate the JavaScript functions on the page.
- Once you have successfully given your consent, you can remove the changed settings again.
How do I enable cookies?
Microsoft Edge
- Click on "Tools" or the gear icon.
- Now click on 'Internet Options'.
- Switch to the "Privacy" tab.
- Click on the "Sites" button.
- Enter parlament.gv.at under "Website address" and then click on "Allow".
Parlament.gv.at should then appear under "Managed websites" with the setting "Always allow":
- Finish editing the settings by clicking OK, and reload the page.
- Once you have successfully given your consent, you can remove the changed settings again.
- To do this, click on "Tools" or the cog icon.
- Now click on "Internet Options". Switch to the "Privacy" tab.
- Click on the "Sites" button.
- Select the entry parliament.gv.at by clicking on it. Then click on the "Remove" button. The cookie settings are now back to how they were before the changes.
Mozilla Firefox
- Can you see the "File Edit etc." menu bar? If so, click on "Tools" and then on "Settings".
- If you do not see the menu bar, click on the three lines in the top right-hand corner to open the application menu and then click on "Settings".
- Now go to "Privacy & Security".
- Select the "Custom" profile. If you do not see a blue tick next to "Cookies", they are disabled. You can enable them by clicking on the box.
Would you like your cookies to be automatically deleted when you close Firefox?
- You can also find this setting in the application menu under "Settings".
- Go to "Privacy & Security".
- In the Cookies and Website Data section, you can select to have cookies and website data deleted when you close Firefox.
Google Chrome
- Enter chrome://settings in the Chrome address bar and press the Enter key.
- Click on "Show advanced settings" and then on "Content settings ...".
- In the content settings, click on "Manage exceptions..." under "Cookies".
- Now enter www.parlament.gv.at under "Hostname pattern" and select "Delete on exit" or "Allow" under "Behaviour".
- Finish editing the settings by clicking on "Done" and "Done".
- Close the "Settings" tab and reload the page to allow cookies to be set.
- Once you have successfully given your consent, you can remove the changed settings again.
- To remove the exception, open the "Exceptions for cookies and website data" window.
- Move the mouse pointer to the end of the line with the entry www.parlament.gv.at and click on the X to the right of "Delete on exit" or "Allow".
- Finish editing the settings by clicking on "Done" and "Done".
Apple and Safari on OS X
- In Safari, press the Cmd + comma keys or click on "Safari" in the Safari menu bar and then on "Preferences".
- Go to the "Privacy" section and change the selection under "Block cookies and other website data" to "From third parties and advertisers" or "Never".
- Close the settings dialogue box and reload the page to allow cookies to be set.
- Once you have successfully given your consent, you can remove the changed settings again.
How do I enable animation or sound on websites?
Mozilla Firefox
Please note: Enabling animations on websites in Mozilla Firefox requires changing the configuration. If done incorrectly, this can cause Firefox to stop working. If you are unsure, please seek help from someone with IT expertise.
- Enter about:config in the Firefox address bar. Then press the Enter key. Confirm the warning by clicking on "I'll be careful, I promise".
- Enter "image.animation_mode" in the "Search" field. The search should start as you type.
- In the "Value" column, the entry "normal" should appear in the "image.animation_mode" line.
If not, double-click on the "image.animation_mode" line. - Now change the entry in the input field to "normal" and close the input field by clicking on "OK".
- Reload the web page to activate the animation.
Sounds are difficult to deactivate in Firefox without an add-on. Therefore, sounds should play without any problems in Firefox.
Google Chrome
- In Google Chrome, animations and sounds on websites cannot be deactivated using simple settings. Deactivation is possible using so-called "extensions". If animations or sounds are not played, you will need to deactivate the installed extensions on a trial basis.
- To do this, enter chrome://extensions in the Chrome address bar and press the Enter key.
You should now see a list of the installed extensions: - Disable individual or all extensions by unchecking the box next to "Enable".
- Restart Chrome after disabling the extension. This will apply the changes.
Apple and Safari OS X
- In Safari, animations and sounds on websites cannot be disabled using simple settings. However, it is possible to disable them using so-called "extensions".
- If animations or sounds are not playing, you will need to disable the installed extensions on a trial basis.
- In Safari, press the Cmd + comma keys or click on "Safari" in the Safari menu bar and then on "Preferences".
- Go to the "Extensions" section.
- Deactivate individual or all extensions by removing the check mark in front of "Enable". Then restart Safari. This will apply the changes.
- Once you have successfully given your consent, you can undo the changed settings.