Introduction

UK Tech News, a leading technology news platform, has updated its Cookie Policy to provide greater clarity on how cookies and similar tracking technologies are used across the website. The policy, which took effect on 4 June 2025, applies to all citizens and legal permanent residents of the United Kingdom, ensuring compliance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR).

The revision comes as part of the website’s ongoing commitment to transparency and user control over personal data. The policy details the various categories of cookies deployed—functional, statistical, advertising, marketing/tracking, and social media—and explains their purposes, storage durations, and the third parties involved.

What Are Cookies and Scripts?

Cookies are small text files stored on a user’s device when visiting a website. They enable the site to remember preferences, analyse browsing behaviour, and deliver targeted advertisements. The policy also describes scripts (program code executed on the server or user device) and web beacons (invisible images used to monitor traffic). These technologies collectively help improve site functionality and user experience.

For example, functional cookies ensure that shopping carts remain intact during checkout, while statistical cookies provide anonymous insights into how users navigate the site. Marketing and tracking cookies, on the other hand, build profiles for personalised advertising and cross-site tracking.

Types of Cookies Used

Technical or Functional Cookies

These essential cookies enable core site operations, such as remembering login status and language preferences. They are placed without user consent and do not collect personally identifiable information. Notable examples include cookies from CloudFlare (for content delivery and bot filtering) and Complianz (for storing consent preferences).

Statistics Cookies

Statistics cookies, such as those from Google Analytics and Snowplow, track page views, unique visitors, and session durations. UK Tech News uses these to optimise content and navigation. User permission is required before placing statistics cookies, and the data collected is anonymised where possible.

Advertising and Marketing Cookies

Advertising cookies from Google Ads, Criteo, and Facebook enable personalised ad delivery and campaign measurement. These tracking cookies create a unique ID for each user, preventing ad repetition and tailoring promotions based on browsing history. Consent is mandatory for these cookies, in line with UK regulations.

Social Media Cookies

The website embeds content from Facebook, LinkedIn, and X (formerly Twitter) via sharing buttons and feeds. These social platforms may place cookies that track activity, even if the user does not interact with the buttons. The policy notes that these services are based in the United States, subjecting data transfers to standard contractual clauses.

Detailed Cookie Directory

The policy includes an extensive list of specific cookies used by each third-party service. For instance, Google Analytics stores cookies like _ga (2 years), _gid (1 day), and _ga_ (1 year) to count page views. Complianz sets functional cookies like cmplz_consented_services and cmplz_marketing (all 365 days) to record consent choices. Marketing cookies from Facebook include _fbp (3 months) for cross-site tracking and fr (3 months) for ad retargeting.

Other notable services include HubSpot (needed for email marketing automation, storing visit times for 13 months), Hotjar (for heatmaps and session recordings, with cookies lasting from session to 1 year), and Google Fonts (which briefly reads the user’s IP address for font delivery). The policy also highlights cookies with “purpose pending investigation,” indicating that some vendors have not fully classified their data collection aims.

User Consent and Rights

Upon first visit, users see a cookie consent banner that allows them to select which cookie categories they accept. Consent is stored under the Complianz framework and can be modified at any time via the “Manage Consent” button. The policy explicitly states that disabling all cookies may impair website functionality.

Users have the right to access, rectify, delete, or transfer their personal data. They can also object to processing and withdraw consent at any time. The policy provides contact details for the Data Protection Officer: UK Tech News, 124 City Road, London, EC1V 2NX, or via email at mydata@ex.comwearemvi.com. Complaints can be directed to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

Vendor Transparency and TCF Compliance

UK Tech News participates in the Transparency & Consent Framework (TCF) by IAB Europe. This allows vendors to request consent or claim legitimate interest for purposes like statistics and marketing. Users can review each vendor’s data retention policies, categories, and purposes directly on the cookie settings panel. The policy lists dozens of vendors, including Criteo, Facebook, Google Ads, LinkedIn, and Snowplow, each with specific data processing justifications.

The framework also covers “special features” and “special purposes,” such as precise geolocation data and ad delivery, which are processed under legitimate interest. Users have the right to object to legitimate interest processing per vendor through the provided interface.

How to Manage Cookies

Users can delete or block cookies via browser settings (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Safari). The policy advises that clearing cookies will require re-consent upon the next visit. For mobile devices, settings may vary, and UK Tech News recommends consulting device-specific help guides.

Contact and Policy Updates

The Cookie Policy was last synchronised with cookiedatabase.org on 8 July 2026. For any questions or concerns, the website provides a dedicated contact form and phone number (0208 150 8286). The policy remains subject to periodic review to reflect changes in UK data protection law and third-party service agreements.

By maintaining this detailed and transparent policy, UK Tech News aims to build trust with its audience while fully complying with legal obligations. Users are encouraged to review the policy regularly and adjust their consent preferences as needed.

Source:UKTN News