Cookie Policy

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They help websites remember information about your visit, such as your preferences or login status. Cookies can be session-based (deleted when you close your browser) or persistent (stored until expiration or deletion).

2. Types of Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies (Always Enabled)

These cookies are necessary for the website to function properly. They include:

• Session Cookies: Maintain your login status and authentication state.
• Security Cookies: Protect against fraud and enhance security.
• Functionality Cookies: Remember your preferences and settings (language, theme, etc.).
• Consent Cookies: Store your cookie preferences and consent choices.

Legal Basis: Legal obligation (ePrivacy Directive, UK GDPR) and our legitimate interest in providing secure, functional services.

Analytics Cookies (Requires Consent)

We use analytics tools to understand how you use our websites, which pages are popular, and how to improve performance. These include:

• Vercel Analytics: Measures page load performance, user interactions, and web vitals.
• Traffic Analytics: Tracks page views, bounce rates, session duration, and user flow.

Data Shared With: Vercel (our hosting provider)
Legal Basis: Your explicit consent

Marketing Cookies (Requires Consent)

These cookies help us deliver targeted content and measure marketing effectiveness:

• Retargeting Cookies: Show relevant ads on other platforms.
• Conversion Tracking: Measure success of marketing campaigns.
• Audience Segmentation: Group users by behavior for personalized messaging.

Data Shared With: Third-party advertising and marketing platforms (if enabled)
Legal Basis: Your explicit consent

3. Other Tracking Technologies

In addition to cookies, we may use:

• Pixel Tags (Web Beacons): Invisible 1×1 pixel images that track page views and user actions.
• Local Storage: Browser storage that persists data similar to cookies.
• Server Logs: Records of your requests to our servers, including IP address, browser type, and pages accessed.

4. Managing Your Cookie Preferences

You can control your cookie preferences through our Consent Banner, which appears when you first visit our site. You can:

• Accept All: Accept all non-essential cookies.
• Reject All: Decline all non-essential cookies (only essential cookies will be set).
• Manage Preferences: Choose individual consent categories.
• Change Preferences: Update your choices anytime by clicking the consent settings button in the banner.

You can also manage cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to refuse cookies or alert you when cookies are being sent. However, blocking cookies may affect website functionality.

5. Third-Party Cookies

Third parties may set cookies on our websites for:

• Analytics and performance monitoring
• Content delivery and hosting
• Advertising and marketing services
• Social media integration

We cannot control third-party cookies, but we only use reputable providers. Review their privacy policies for more information.

6. Do Not Track (DNT)

Some browsers include a Do Not Track feature. Currently, there is no industry standard for recognizing DNT signals, so our websites do not respond to DNT browser signals. However, you can use other tools (such as browser privacy modes or cookie managers) to control tracking.

7. Cookie Retention

The retention period for cookies varies:

• Session Cookies: Deleted when you close your browser.
• Persistent Cookies: Retained for the period specified in the cookie, typically ranging from 30 days to 2 years.
• Analytics Cookies: Generally retained for 12-24 months.

8. UK GDPR and ePrivacy Regulations

We comply with:

• UK GDPR: General Data Protection Regulation, which governs the processing of personal data.
• ePrivacy Directive: UK regulations requiring consent before storing or accessing cookies on your device (except essential cookies).
• PECR (Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations): UK rules governing electronic marketing communications.

9. International Transfers

Some of our service providers are located outside the UK. When we transfer data internationally, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) or Binding Corporate Rules (BCRs).

10. Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy as our use of cookies evolves. We will notify you of significant changes by updating the "Last Updated" date and, where appropriate, by providing notice on our websites.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us:

You can also contact the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk with any data protection complaints.