Cookie Policy

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, smartphone, or tablet) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently, provide information to website owners, and enhance user experience.

Cookies contain information about your browsing session and preferences, allowing websites to remember you when you return. They cannot access files on your device or install software.

2. How We Use Cookies

Faint Gleam uses cookies on our website (faint-gleam.com) to:

• Ensure our website functions properly and securely
• Remember your preferences and settings
• Analyse how visitors use our website to improve our services
• Provide personalised content and recommendations
• Support our marketing and advertising efforts
• Enable social media features and integrations

3. Types of Cookies We Use

3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are essential for our website to function properly. They enable basic features like page navigation, access to secure areas, and form submission. Our website cannot operate properly without these cookies, and they cannot be disabled.

3.2 Performance and Analytics Cookies

These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting anonymous information about page views, time spent on pages, and navigation patterns. This data helps us improve our website performance and user experience.

3.3 Functional Cookies

These cookies allow our website to remember choices you make (such as language preferences or region) and provide enhanced features. They may be set by us or by third-party providers whose services we use.

3.4 Marketing and Advertising Cookies

These cookies are used to deliver personalised advertisements and measure the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns. They track your browsing habits and may be set by our advertising partners.

4. Third-Party Cookies

Some cookies on our website are set by third-party services that we use to enhance functionality and analyse website performance:

4.1 Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use our website. Google Analytics sets cookies to collect anonymous information about page views, user interactions, and website performance. For more information, visit Google's Privacy Policy.

4.2 Social Media Platforms

Our website includes social media sharing buttons and embedded content from platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. These services may set their own cookies when you interact with their content.

4.3 Email Marketing

We use email marketing services that may set cookies to track email campaign effectiveness and subscriber behaviour.

5. Cookie Duration

Cookies can be classified by their duration:

• Session Cookies: Temporary cookies that are deleted when you close your browser
• Persistent Cookies: Remain on your device for a specified period or until manually deleted

Most of our cookies are persistent and have expiration periods ranging from 24 hours to 2 years, as detailed in the tables above.

6. Managing Your Cookie Preferences

6.1 Cookie Banner

When you first visit our website, you'll see a cookie banner allowing you to:

• Accept all cookies
• Accept only necessary cookies
• Customise your cookie settings

6.2 Cookie Settings

You can change your cookie preferences at any time by:

• Clicking the "Cookie Settings" link in our website footer
• Using the cookie management tool that appears on your first visit
• Adjusting your browser settings (see section 6.3)

6.3 Browser Settings

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

• Block all cookies
• Allow only first-party cookies
• Delete existing cookies
• Set up automatic cookie deletion

Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality and your user experience.

Browser-Specific Instructions:

• Chrome: Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data
• Firefox: Options > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
• Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Cookies and website data
• Edge: Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Cookies and site data

7. Impact of Disabling Cookies

While you have the right to disable cookies, doing so may affect your experience on our website:

• Necessary Cookies: Disabling these may prevent core website functions from working
• Performance Cookies: We won't be able to improve website performance based on usage data
• Functional Cookies: You may need to re-enter preferences on each visit
• Marketing Cookies: You may see less relevant advertisements

8. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. When we make material changes, we will:

• Update the "Last updated" date at the top of this policy
• Post a notice on our website
• Notify users via email if appropriate
• Request fresh consent if required by law

9. Legal Basis

Our use of cookies is based on:

• Necessary Cookies: Legitimate interest in providing essential website functionality
• Other Cookies: Your explicit consent obtained through our cookie banner

You can withdraw your consent at any time by changing your cookie settings.

10. Data Protection Rights

Under UK GDPR and data protection laws, you have rights regarding the personal data collected through cookies. For more information about your rights and how we protect your data, please see our Privacy Policy.

11. Contact Information

If you have questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us:

12. Useful Resources

For more information about cookies and online privacy:

• ICO - Cookies guidance
• All About Cookies
• Digital Advertising Alliance Opt-Out
• Google Analytics Opt-Out