Cookies Policy

What Are Cookies

Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit websites. They help websites function properly, remember your preferences, and understand how you interact with the site. Most websites use cookies to some degree.

This Cookies Policy explains what cookies we use on the Brightara Hub website, why we use them, and how you can manage your cookie preferences.

How We Use Cookies

We use cookies to ensure our website functions correctly, improve user experience, and understand how visitors interact with our content. We are thoughtful about cookie usage and only employ those that serve clear purposes.

Types of Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies

These cookies are necessary for the website to function properly. They enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. The website cannot function properly without these cookies, and they are set automatically when you use the site.

Essential cookies we use include session identifiers to maintain your session as you navigate between pages, security tokens to protect against cross-site request forgery, and cookie consent preferences to remember your cookie choices.

Because these cookies are strictly necessary for website functionality, they do not require your consent under applicable law.

Analytics Cookies

Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors use our website. They collect information about which pages are visited most often, how long visitors spend on pages, error messages encountered, and general browsing patterns.

We use this information to improve website design, identify and fix technical issues, understand which content is most valuable, and enhance overall user experience.

The information collected by analytics cookies is aggregated and anonymized. We cannot identify individual visitors from this data. We only use analytics cookies with your consent, which you can provide or withdraw through our cookie banner.

Cookies We Do Not Use

For transparency, we want to be clear about cookies we do not employ on our website.

We do not use advertising cookies or tracking pixels for marketing purposes. We do not use social media cookies or plugins that track you across websites. We do not share cookie data with third-party advertisers. We do not employ cookies that track your behavior across different websites.

First-Party and Third-Party Cookies

First-party cookies are set directly by our website. These include our essential functionality cookies and our analytics cookies. Third-party cookies are set by external services. We minimize third-party cookies and only use them when necessary for specific functionality we cannot provide ourselves.

Any third-party services we use are carefully selected based on their privacy practices and GDPR compliance.

Session and Persistent Cookies

Session cookies are temporary and deleted when you close your browser. We use session cookies for essential website functionality. Persistent cookies remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them. We use persistent cookies to remember your cookie preferences and for analytics purposes.

Our persistent cookies have defined expiration periods and do not remain indefinitely.

Managing Your Cookie Preferences

You have control over which cookies are placed on your device, with the exception of essential cookies required for basic website functionality.

Cookie Banner

When you first visit our website, you'll see a cookie banner explaining our cookie usage. You can choose to accept all cookies or manage your preferences to select which types you want to allow. Your choice is remembered through a cookie preference cookie that records your selections.

Changing Your Preferences

You can change your cookie preferences at any time by clearing your browser cookies and revisiting our site, which will show the cookie banner again. Alternatively, you can manage cookies through your browser settings, as explained below.

Browser Controls

Most browsers allow you to view, manage, and delete cookies through their settings. You can typically block all cookies, accept only first-party cookies, receive notifications before cookies are placed, or delete cookies after you close the browser.

Be aware that blocking all cookies may impact website functionality. Some features may not work correctly without essential cookies.

Browser-Specific Cookie Management

Each browser handles cookies differently. Here are general guidelines for common browsers.

Google Chrome

Access Settings, then Privacy and Security, then Cookies and Other Site Data. Here you can view and manage cookies, block third-party cookies, and clear browsing data.

Mozilla Firefox

Access Settings, then Privacy and Security. Under Cookies and Site Data, you can manage cookie settings and clear data.

Safari

Access Preferences, then Privacy. You can manage cookies and website data, choose to block all cookies, or allow cookies from websites you visit.

Microsoft Edge

Access Settings, then Cookies and Site Permissions. Here you can manage and delete cookies and control third-party cookies.

Specific Cookies We Use

For complete transparency, here is detailed information about the specific cookies set by our website.

Cookie Consent

Cookie name: cookieConsent. Purpose: Stores your cookie preference choices. Type: Essential. Duration: 12 months. This cookie remembers whether you've accepted or rejected optional cookies, ensuring we respect your preferences on future visits.

Session Management

Cookie name: sessionID. Purpose: Maintains your session as you navigate the site. Type: Essential. Duration: Session only. This temporary cookie ensures the website functions properly as you move between pages.

Analytics

Cookie name: analytics_id. Purpose: Tracks anonymous usage statistics. Type: Analytics. Duration: 24 months. This cookie helps us understand which pages visitors find useful and how they navigate the site. All data is anonymized and aggregated.

Impact of Disabling Cookies

If you choose to disable all cookies, you can still browse our website, but certain features may not work as intended. Specifically, your cookie preferences won't be remembered between visits, requiring you to dismiss the cookie banner each time. Some interactive elements may not function optimally.

We've designed our website to be as functional as possible even with cookies disabled, but the user experience may be diminished.

Updates to Cookie Usage

We may update our cookie usage from time to time to reflect changes in technology, legal requirements, or website functionality. When we make material changes to this Cookies Policy, we will update the date at the top of this page.

If we introduce new types of cookies that require consent, we will notify you through our cookie banner and seek appropriate consent before setting them.

Cookies and Personal Data

Under UK GDPR, cookies can constitute personal data when they relate to an identifiable individual. We treat cookie data with the same care and protection as other personal information.

Our Privacy Policy and GDPR information pages provide additional details about how we handle personal data, including information collected through cookies.

Third-Party Websites

Our website may link to external websites operated by hobby groups, communities, or other organizations. These sites have their own cookie policies, which we do not control. We encourage you to review the cookie policies of any external sites you visit.

Mobile Devices

When you access our website through mobile devices, similar technologies to cookies may be used. Mobile browsers typically allow you to control cookies through their settings, similar to desktop browsers. The principles outlined in this policy apply equally to mobile access.

Do Not Track Signals

Some browsers include Do Not Track features that signal to websites that you do not want your online activity tracked. Our website respects these signals. If your browser sends a Do Not Track signal, we will not set analytics or other non-essential cookies.

Cookie Lifespan

We set appropriate expiration periods for our cookies based on their purpose. Essential functionality cookies are session-based and expire when you close your browser. Cookie preference cookies last for 12 months, after which you'll be asked to confirm your preferences again. Analytics cookies persist for up to 24 months to track long-term usage patterns.

Legal Basis for Using Cookies

Under the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations, we need a lawful basis for using cookies. For essential cookies, our lawful basis is that they are strictly necessary for providing the service you've requested. For analytics and other non-essential cookies, we rely on your explicit consent obtained through our cookie banner.

Children and Cookies

Our website is intended for adults. We do not knowingly collect information from children through cookies or other means. If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a minor, please contact us so we can delete it.

Contact Us About Cookies

If you have questions about our use of cookies, how to manage your preferences, or any other aspect of this Cookies Policy, please contact us at [email protected].

We're committed to transparency about our cookie usage and are happy to provide additional information or clarification.

Further Information

For more information about cookies generally, including how to control and delete them, visit aboutcookies.org or allaboutcookies.org. These independent resources provide detailed guidance about cookies across different browsers and devices.