The operator of a prominent technology news website has released an updated Cookie Policy, effective as of 4 June 2025, specifically tailored for citizens and legal permanent residents of the United Kingdom. This comprehensive document outlines the website's use of cookies, scripts, and web beacons, as well as the third-party services it employs for analytics, advertising, and social media integration. The policy is designed to align with current UK data protection regulations, including the GDPR and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR).
What Are Cookies and Similar Technologies?
Cookies are small text files stored on a user's device when they visit a website. These files enable the site to remember the user's preferences, track browsing behaviour, and facilitate certain functionalities. The policy distinguishes between cookies, scripts (pieces of program code that enable interactive features), and web beacons (invisible pixels used to monitor traffic). All these technologies are categorised under the general term 'cookies' for the purposes of the policy.
Categories of Cookies Used
The policy classifies cookies into several categories based on their purpose. Functional or technical cookies are essential for the website to operate correctly and remember user preferences, such as login status or shopping cart contents. These are placed without explicit user consent. Statistics cookies are used to analyse how visitors interact with the site, helping to optimise the user experience. Consent is required before these cookies can be set. Advertising cookies allow the website and its partners to deliver personalised ads and measure campaign performance. These are considered tracking cookies and require user permission. Marketing or tracking cookies are used to create user profiles for display advertising across multiple websites. Social media cookies are embedded from platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and X (formerly Twitter), enabling content sharing and personalised advertising from those networks.
Detailed List of Third-Party Services and Their Cookies
The policy provides a detailed inventory of all cookies placed on the site, organised by service provider. Below is a summary of the key services and their associated cookies:
Google Various Services
This includes both functional cookies (such as 'google_auto_fc_cmp_setting' for storing consent preferences) and marketing cookies (such as '__gpi' for ad personalisation). Google's services are used for website development and advertising purposes.
CloudFlare
CloudFlare provides content delivery network (CDN) services. Its functional cookies, like '__cf_bm', help filter requests from bots and ensure website security.
Criteo
Criteo is used for remarketing. Its marketing cookie 'cto_bundle' retains user activity for up to 13 months to deliver targeted ads across pages.
Google Analytics
Google Analytics collects statistical data through cookies such as '_ga', '_gid', and '_ga_'. These track pageviews and user sessions, with expiration periods ranging from one minute to two years.
PHP
PHP-related cookies (e.g., 'exp') provide basic functional support across pages. No data is shared with third parties.
Complianz
Complianz manages cookie consent. Its numerous functional cookies (e.g., 'cmplz_consented_services', 'cmplz_marketing') store user preferences for up to 365 days and are not shared with third parties.
One Signal
One Signal handles push notifications. Its marketing cookies, such as 'isPushNotificationsEnabled', persist on the user's device to manage opt-in status.
Google reCAPTCHA
reCAPTCHA provides spam prevention. It uses both functional cookies (e.g., '_grecaptcha') and marketing cookies (e.g., 'rc::a', 'rc::b', 'rc::c') with varying expiration times, from session to six months.
WordPress
WordPress powers the website and sets functional cookies for user preferences, login status, language settings, and browser details. Examples include 'wp-settings-' and 'wordpress_logged_in_'.
Stripe
Stripe facilitates payment processing and uses a functional cookie, '__stripe_mid', for fraud prevention during transactions.
HubSpot
HubSpot is used for marketing automation. Its cookies are classified under marketing (e.g., '__hstc'), statistics (e.g., '__hssrc'), and functional (e.g., '__hssc'). Some cookies have a 13-month lifespan and store visitor identities.
Hotjar
Hotjar provides heat maps and screen recordings. Its functional cookie '_hjSession_' lasts for the session, while the statistical cookie '_hjSessionUser_' stores a unique user ID for up to one year.
Facebook cookies support social sharing and advertising. Marketing cookies include '_fbp' (3 months), 'fr' (3 months), and 'c_user' (30 days). Functional cookies like 'wd' store screen resolution details.
Google Fonts
Google Fonts is used to display webfonts. Its marketing cookie (Google Fonts API) expires immediately but reads the user's IP address for serving the appropriate font.
Twitter's functional cookie 'local_storage_support_test' enables load balancing, while its marketing cookie 'metrics_token' stores whether the user has seen embedded content.
LinkedIn cookies span multiple categories: functional (e.g., 'li_gc' for consent), marketing (e.g., 'lms_ads' and 'UserMatchHistory'), statistics (e.g., 'lms_analytics'), and preferences (e.g., 'bcookie' and 'lidc').
Google Ads Optimization
This service uses a marketing cookie '1p_jar' (1 month) to provide ad delivery and retargeting.
Google Ads
Google Ads marketing cookies, such as 'ads/ga-audiences', store information for remarketing purposes and expire immediately.
Snowplow
Snowplow is used for website statistics. Its statistical cookie '_sp_id' retains a unique user ID for up to two years.
Elementor
Elementor, a content creation tool, sets an anonymous statistical cookie 'elementor' to store performed actions on the website.
Miscellaneous
A significant number of cookies are listed under 'miscellaneous' with purpose pending investigation. These include names like 'perf_', '_ccmdt', 'evolok:properties', and many others. The policy notes that sharing of data for these cookies is also pending investigation.
Consent Mechanism and User Rights
Upon first visiting the website, users see a pop-up explaining cookie categories. By clicking 'Save preferences', they consent to the selected categories. The policy emphasises that users can disable cookies via their browser, but the website may not function correctly without them. For users on AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages), a manage consent button is available at the bottom of the page. Additionally, the policy includes a detailed section on TCF (Transparency and Consent Framework) vendors, allowing users to provide or withdraw consent per purpose, including statistics and marketing. Users also have the right to object to legitimate interest processing.
Enabling, Disabling, and Deleting Cookies
Users can manage cookies through their internet browser settings. Options include automatic or manual deletion, blocking specific cookies, or receiving alerts when a cookie is placed. The policy warns that disabling all cookies may impair website functionality.
Your Rights Regarding Personal Data
The policy outlines the following rights: the right to know why personal data is processed and how long it is retained; right of access; right to rectification; right to revoke consent; right to data portability; and right to object to processing. Users are encouraged to contact the data controller for any data-related requests. Complaints can also be lodged with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
Contact Details
The policy provides contact information for the data controller: an address in London (124 City Roads, London, England, EC1V 2NX), a website URL (https://www.uktech.news), an email (mydata@ex.comwearemvi.com), and a phone number (0208 150 8286). The policy was synchronised with cookiedatabase.org on 22 July 2026.
Source: UKTN News