UK Tech News has published an updated Cookie Policy for its website, effective 4 June 2025, specifically addressing citizens and legal permanent residents of the United Kingdom. The policy outlines how cookies and similar technologies are used on https://www.uktech.news, including those placed by third parties. The update reflects ongoing compliance with UK data protection regulations, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR).
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files sent by a website to a user's browser and stored on their device. They allow the website to recognise the user's device and remember information about their visit, such as preferences and actions. When the user visits the site again, the stored data can be retrieved to enhance the browsing experience. Cookies can be set by the website itself (first-party cookies) or by third parties (third-party cookies).
Types of Cookies Used on UK Tech News
The updated policy categorises cookies into several types, each serving a different purpose. These categories help users understand what data is collected and why.
Technical or Functional Cookies
Functional cookies are essential for the website to work correctly. They enable core features such as remembering user preferences, keeping items in a shopping cart, and maintaining login sessions. These cookies do not require user consent, as they are necessary for the site's operation. Examples include the CloudFlare cookie used for content delivery and the PHP session cookie that manages page functionality.
Statistics Cookies
Statistics cookies collect anonymous data about how visitors use the website. This information helps UK Tech News understand which pages are most popular, how users navigate the site, and where improvements can be made. For instance, Google Analytics cookies like _ga and _gid track pageviews and unique visitors. Consent is required before these cookies are placed, as they gather usage data.
Advertising Cookies
Advertising cookies are used to deliver personalised advertisements based on the user's browsing behaviour. They also help measure the effectiveness of ad campaigns. These cookies create a profile of the user's interests, linking them to a unique ID to prevent seeing the same ad repeatedly. Services like Google Ads and Criteo use such cookies. Because they are tracking cookies, user consent must be obtained before placement.
Marketing/Tracking Cookies
Marketing and tracking cookies go a step further by creating detailed user profiles for cross-site tracking. They are used for retargeting and behavioural advertising. Technologies like Facebook Pixel and LinkedIn Insight Tag fall into this category. Consent is mandatory for these cookies, as they involve significant data collection and sharing.
Social Media Cookies
UK Tech News embeds content from social networks such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and X (formerly Twitter) to allow users to like, share, and tweet articles. These platforms place their own cookies, which may track user activity even if the user does not interact with the embedded content. The data collected can be used for personalised advertising by these social networks. All three providers are based in the United States, so data transfers are subject to adequacy decisions or appropriate safeguards.
Third-Party Services and Data Sharing
The policy lists numerous third-party services that place cookies on UK Tech News. These include Google various services (for analytics, advertising, and fonts), CloudFlare (CDN), Criteo (remarketing), Hotjar (heatmaps and session recordings), HubSpot (marketing automation), Stripe (payment processing), and Snowplow (analytics). Each service has its own privacy statement, and users are encouraged to review them for more detailed information about data handling.
For example, Google Analytics stores statistics cookies like _ga (2 years) and _gid (1 day) to count pageviews. Google reCAPTCHA uses functional and marketing cookies for spam prevention and bot filtering. Facebook sets advertising cookies such as _fbp (3 months) and fr (3 months) for ad delivery and retargeting. LinkedIn uses marketing cookies like lms_ads (30 days) and UserMatchHistory (30 days) for tracking and ad optimisation.
Some services, such as PHP and Complianz, do not share data with third parties. Complianz is used for cookie consent management and stores functional cookies like cmplz_consented_services (365 days) to remember user preferences.
Consent Management
When a user visits the website for the first time, a pop-up banner appears with an explanation about cookies. The user can select which categories of cookies they consent to and then click 'Save preferences'. This consent is stored via Complianz cookies, which retain the choice for up to 365 days. Users can change their preferences at any time through the cookie settings on the website.
The policy also explains the use of TCF (Transparency and Consent Framework) vendors. Users can view each vendor's purposes, legal bases (consent or legitimate interest), and data retention policies. They can also object to legitimate interest processing for specific purposes. However, disabling all data processing may affect website functionality.
Managing Cookies in Your Browser
Users can also manage cookies directly in their web browser settings. Most browsers allow automatic or manual deletion of cookies, blocking specific types, or receiving notifications when a cookie is set. The Help section of each browser provides detailed instructions. Note that disabling all cookies may cause parts of the website to malfunction.
Your Rights Under UK Data Protection Law
Under the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, users have several rights regarding their personal data collected through cookies. These include the right to be informed about data processing, the right to access personal data held by the site, the right to rectification (correcting inaccurate data), the right to erasure (deleting data), the right to restrict processing, the right to data portability, and the right to object to processing (including for direct marketing).
To exercise these rights, users can contact UK Tech News using the details provided: email mydata@ex.comwearemvi.com, phone 0208 150 8286, or postal address at 124 City Roads, London, England, EC1V 2NX. If a user believes their data has been mishandled, they may lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK's independent data protection authority.
Legal Basis and Compliance
The Cookie Policy aligns with the requirements of the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR), which mandate that websites obtain informed consent before placing non-essential cookies. The use of Complianz as a consent management platform ensures that UK Tech News can demonstrate valid consent records. The policy also addresses the updated UK GDPR guidelines on cookies and tracking technologies, including the need for clear and transparent information about data processing purposes.
The policy was synchronised with cookiedatabase.org on 27 May 2026, ensuring that cookie descriptions and retention periods are accurate. All information about third-party cookie lifetimes and functions is publicly accessible and maintained in line with industry standards.
Implications for Users
For regular visitors to UK Tech News, the updated Cookie Policy means greater transparency about how their data is used. Users can now make more informed choices about which tracking technologies they allow. Those who opt out of advertising and marketing cookies will still be able to access the full content of the website, though they may see less personalised adverts. The policy also reassures users that essential functional cookies will always be present to ensure a smooth browsing experience.
Given the increasing scrutiny of data privacy in the UK, this update demonstrates UK Tech News's commitment to following best practices. The adoption of TCF standards and the detailed vendor list provide an extra layer of accountability. As regulatory expectations evolve, UK Tech News is likely to continue refining its cookie practices to maintain compliance and user trust.
The website encourages all users to review the full Cookie Policy and exercise their rights. For any questions or concerns, the contact details provided are readily available. By taking these steps, UK Tech News aims to balance the need for effective website analytics and advertising with the fundamental right to privacy.
Source: UKTN News