UKTech News has announced an updated Cookie Policy for its users in the United Kingdom, effective June 4, 2025. The policy outlines how the website uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance user experience, provide analytics, and deliver targeted advertising. This update aligns with the latest UK data protection regulations, including the GDPR and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR).
Understanding Cookies and Related Technologies
Cookies are small text files stored on a user's device when visiting a website. They help the site remember preferences, track user behavior, and improve functionality. UKTech News also uses scripts—pieces of program code that run on the server or user's device—and web beacons (also known as pixel tags) to monitor traffic and gather usage data. These technologies are essential for modern web operations but also raise privacy considerations.
The new policy categorizes cookies into several types: technical or functional cookies, which ensure basic site functions; statistics cookies that help optimize the user experience; advertising cookies for personalized ads; and marketing/tracking cookies that build user profiles across websites. Each category requires varying levels of user consent under UK law.
Types of Cookies Used
Technical or Functional Cookies
These cookies are necessary for the website to work correctly. They remember user preferences, such as language settings or items in a shopping cart, and do not require explicit consent. UKTech News uses functional cookies from services like CloudFlare (for content delivery and bot filtering), PHP (for website development), Complianz (for cookie consent management), WordPress (for user preferences and session management), Stripe (for payment fraud prevention), and Google reCAPTCHA (for spam protection).
Statistics Cookies
Statistics cookies provide insights into how users interact with the site, helping UKTech News improve content and navigation. These cookies are placed only after obtaining user consent. Key tools include Google Analytics (for pageview tracking and user identification), Hotjar (for heat maps and session recordings), Snowplow (for detailed analytics), and Elementor (for tracking performed actions). Examples of cookies include _ga (2 years), _gid (1 day), and _hjSessionUser_ (1 year).
Advertising Cookies
Advertising cookies enable personalized ad delivery and campaign measurement. UKTech News uses these to show relevant ads based on browsing behavior. Services like Google Ads, Google Ads Optimization, Criteo (remarketing), and Facebook Pixel fall under this category. Cookies like _fbp (3 months) and fr (3 months) store visit and session data for ad retargeting. User consent is required for these tracking cookies.
Marketing/Tracking Cookies
These cookies create detailed user profiles for marketing across multiple websites. Social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and X (formerly Twitter) embed content that sets marketing cookies. For example, LinkedIn’s lms_ads cookie tracks visits across websites, while Twitter’s metrics_token stores if embedded content has been seen. Many of these services are based in the United States, and data sharing follows their respective privacy policies.
Social Media Cookies
UKTech News includes content from Facebook, LinkedIn, and X to allow users to like, share, or tweet articles. This content is loaded via code from those platforms, which may set cookies for personalized advertising. Users should review the privacy policies of each platform for detailed information on data processing.
Detailed Cookie Inventory
The policy provides an exhaustive list of cookies set by each service. For instance, Google various services include functional cookies like google_auto_fc_cmp_setting (persistent) and marketing cookies like __gpi (expiration not specified). CloudFlare stores mirage_cache_manifest and __cf_bm (30 minutes). Criteo uses cto_bundle (13 months) for cross-page functions. Complianz sets multiple functional cookies with 365-day expiration, including cmplz_consented_services and cmplz_marketing. Hotjar’s _hjSession_ and _hjSessionUser_ are used for session and user tracking. Facebook places marketing cookies such as datr (2 years) for fraud prevention and fr (3 months) for ad delivery.
Other notable cookies include Google Fonts API (reads user IP immediately), Twitter’s local_storage_support_test (persistent), and LinkedIn’s bcookie (1 year) and lidc (1 day). The policy also lists miscellaneous cookies under “purpose pending investigation,” such as perf_, __s3ga4_session_id, and various tracking identifiers. These may require further classification as more data becomes available.
Consent Management and User Rights
Upon first visit, UKTech News displays a pop-up explaining cookies and asking for consent. Users can select specific categories and save preferences. Disabling cookies via browser settings may affect site functionality. The site uses the TCF vendor list, but note that JavaScript must be enabled for full vendor management. Users can provide or withdraw consent for purposes like statistics and marketing, and object to legitimate interest processing for certain purposes.
The policy outlines specific user rights under UK GDPR: the right to know why personal data is collected and how long it is retained; right of access; right to rectification including deletion or blocking; right to revoke consent; right to data portability; and right to object to processing. To exercise these rights, users can contact UKTech News via email (mydata@ex.comwearemvi.com) or phone (0208 150 8286). The registered address is 124 City Roads, London, EC1V 2NX, United Kingdom.
If users have complaints, they are encouraged to contact the website first but also have the right to file a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK’s data protection supervisory authority.
Enabling and Disabling Cookies
Users can manage cookie preferences through their browser settings, including automatic or manual deletion and blocking of specific cookies. Browser help sections provide detailed instructions. Note that if all cookies are disabled, website functionality may be impaired, and cookies will be re-placed after re-consent upon the next visit.
Partners and Data Sharing
UKTech News shares data with various partners for purposes such as advertising, analytics, and functionality. The policy lists partners like Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, Criteo, Hotjar, and Snowplow. Each partner has its own privacy policy and may rely on consent or legitimate interest for data processing. Users can review partner details, purposes, and data retention periods within the cookie management interface.
The policy was last updated on June 4, 2025, and synchronized with cookiedatabase.org on May 13, 2026. It applies specifically to citizens and legal permanent residents of the United Kingdom, ensuring compliance with local data protection laws. UKTech News continues to review and update its practices to maintain transparency and user trust in an evolving digital landscape.
Source: UKTN News