Cookies and Simlar Technologies

Cookies are files stored in your device's browser when you visit some websites and apps.

Cookies are often harmless, used to make websites more functional, personalised and for security reasons.

Yet, as with any technology, Cookies can also be used for nefarious means. One example would be tracking individuals, then using this personal identifying or behavioural data for commercial gain.

Cookies have bad PR at the moment, yet they can be the best solution and have been around since 1994. It can be considered safer to store preferences on each users device, rather than in a centralised place, like in a database for example. To do this everyone would have to create accounts and they become an attack vector for bad actors. Having each user in custody of their own data, makes it much harder for hackers to acquire large amounts of personal data.

Since the introduction of HTML5 in 2008, there's also the ability to use browser storage. The most common are Local Storage and Session Storage. These are very similar to cookies, in that software can store data on users devices.

We will never use cookies or browser storage for anything other than their harmless implementations. We only use these technologies when required and when we do, we will only use the bare minimum of data required to fulfil its function. If personal identifying data is absolutely necessary, we will anonymise that data and inform you of its use.

We aim to be as transparent as possible, yet without bombarding you with technical and legal jargon. Where it makes sense we'll give you control over how we use your data in cookies and similar technologies.

We believe that data protection laws and legislation require the user to opt-in to their consent, rather than assuming consent, before you (the user) has the chance to revoke.