Cookie Policy

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites function efficiently, remember user preferences, and provide information to site owners. Similar technologies include local storage, session storage, pixel tags, and web beacons, all of which are covered by this policy when used on our site.

Cookies may be set by the website you are visiting (first-party cookies) or by third-party services embedded in the site (third-party cookies). They can remain on your device for a defined period (persistent cookies) or be deleted when you close your browser (session cookies).

2. Data Controller

The data controller responsible for cookies on this website is:

Washingspine
50 Pingle Dr, Bicester OX26 6WD, United Kingdom
Email: hello@washingspine.world
Telephone: +44 1869 366200

3. How We Use Cookies

We categorise cookies used on washingspine.world into three groups. Non-essential cookies are only placed on your device after you provide consent through our cookie banner or cookie settings panel.

3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are essential for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually set in response to actions you take, such as setting privacy preferences or submitting a form. Without these cookies, certain services you request cannot be provided.

• Cookie consent storage (tdde_cookie_consent): Stores your cookie preference choices in local storage. Duration: twelve months. Purpose: To remember whether you accepted, rejected, or customised cookie settings so the banner does not reappear unnecessarily.
• Session management: Maintains basic session state during your visit. Duration: session. Purpose: To ensure pages load correctly and form submissions function as expected.
• Security cookies: Help protect against cross-site request forgery and other security threats. Duration: session to twenty-four hours. Purpose: To maintain the integrity and security of your browsing session.

Legal basis: Legitimate interests and, where applicable, compliance with legal obligations. These cookies do not require consent under the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) because they are strictly necessary.

3.2 Analytics Cookies

Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously or in aggregated form. This data allows us to improve page content, navigation, and overall user experience. Analytics cookies are only activated if you click "Accept All" or enable the Analytics toggle in Cookie Settings.

Information that may be collected includes:

• Pages visited and the sequence of navigation
• Time spent on each page
• Scroll depth and click interactions
• Approximate geographic region derived from IP address (not stored in identifiable form)
• Device type, browser, and operating system
• Referral source (how you arrived at our site)

Typical retention period for analytics data: up to twenty-six months in aggregated form. Legal basis: Your consent (Article 6(1)(a) UK GDPR).

3.3 Marketing Cookies

Marketing cookies may be used to measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns and to deliver content that is more relevant to your interests. These cookies may track your visit across websites to build a profile of your interests. Marketing cookies are only activated with your explicit consent.

Potential uses include:

• Measuring conversions from advertisements linking to our website
• Understanding which content topics generate the most engagement from referred traffic
• Limiting the number of times you see a particular promotional message
• Supporting remarketing activities on third-party platforms, where applicable and consented

Typical retention period: up to twelve months. Legal basis: Your consent (Article 6(1)(a) UK GDPR).

4. Third-Party Cookies

Some cookies on our website are placed by third-party services that appear on our pages. We do not control these cookies directly. Third parties may include:

• Google Fonts: Serves web fonts to ensure consistent typography. May collect usage data according to Google's privacy policy.
• jsDelivr CDN: Delivers our icon font library (Remix Icon). May log request metadata for performance purposes.
• Analytics providers: If enabled, third-party analytics platforms may set their own cookies subject to their respective privacy policies.

We recommend reviewing the privacy policies of these providers for detailed information about their data practices. We select third-party services that demonstrate compliance with UK and EU data protection standards.

5. Managing Your Cookie Preferences

You have several options for controlling cookies on our website:

5.1 Cookie Banner

When you first visit our site, a cookie consent banner appears at the bottom of the screen. You may:

• Accept All: Enables strictly necessary, analytics, and marketing cookies.
• Reject: Enables only strictly necessary cookies. Analytics and marketing cookies will not be placed.
• Cookie Settings: Opens a panel where you can toggle individual non-essential categories before saving your preferences.

5.2 Browser Settings

Most web browsers allow you to manage cookies through their settings. You can typically:

• View cookies stored on your device and delete them individually or collectively
• Block third-party cookies
• Block all cookies from specific websites
• Block all cookies entirely (note: this may affect website functionality)
• Enable "Do Not Track" signals, though not all services honour this setting

Instructions for managing cookies in common browsers:

• Google Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
• Mozilla Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
• Apple Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
• Microsoft Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Manage and delete cookies

5.3 Withdrawing Consent

You may withdraw or change your cookie consent at any time by clearing your browser's local storage for our site and revisiting the page, which will display the cookie banner again. Alternatively, contact us at hello@washingspine.world and we will provide guidance on resetting your preferences.

6. Data Collected Through Cookies

Depending on the cookie categories you enable, the following types of data may be processed:

• Unique cookie identifiers (not directly linked to your identity unless combined with other data)
• Browser and device characteristics
• Pages viewed and interaction events
• Timestamp and duration data
• Truncated or anonymised IP addresses
• Referral and campaign parameters

This data is processed in accordance with our Privacy Policy, which describes retention periods, security measures, and your rights as a data subject.

7. Data Retention

Cookie-related data retention varies by category:

• Consent records: Stored for twelve months in local storage, after which consent is requested again.
• Session cookies: Deleted automatically when you close your browser.
• Analytics data: Retained in aggregated form for up to twenty-six months, then deleted or anonymised.
• Marketing data: Retained for up to twelve months or until consent is withdrawn, whichever is sooner.

8. International Transfers

Some third-party cookie providers may process data outside the United Kingdom. Where this occurs, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, including Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the UK Information Commissioner's Office, or transfers to countries with adequacy decisions. You may request further information about specific transfer mechanisms by contacting us.

9. Your Rights

Under UK GDPR, you have rights regarding personal data collected through cookies, including the right to access, rectify, erase, restrict processing, object, and withdraw consent. For details, please refer to Section 9 of our Privacy Policy. You may also lodge a complaint with the ICO at ico.org.uk.

10. Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect changes in technology, legislation, or our data practices. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page indicates the most recent revision. Continued use of our website after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy, subject to any requirements for renewed consent under applicable law.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions about our use of cookies or wish to exercise your data protection rights, please contact:

Washingspine
50 Pingle Dr, Bicester OX26 6WD, United Kingdom
Email: hello@washingspine.world
Telephone: +44 1869 366200