Cookie Policy
Effective Date: 14th December 2024
This Cookie Policy explains how AutoChain Limited ("we," "our," or "us") uses cookies and similar technologies when you visit our website or use our services. This policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy.
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and provide information to website owners.
Types of Cookies We Use
By Duration:
- • Session Cookies: Temporary, deleted when you close your browser
- • Persistent Cookies: Remain until expiry date or manual deletion
By Source:
- • First-party Cookies: Set by AutoChain
- • Third-party Cookies: Set by external services we use
2. How We Use Cookies
2.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies
Purpose: Essential for the website to function properly. These cannot be disabled.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| session_id | Maintains your login session | Session |
| csrf_token | Security protection against attacks | Session |
| cookie_consent | Remembers your cookie preferences | 1 year |
2.2 Performance & Analytics Cookies
Purpose: Help us understand how visitors use our website to improve performance.
| Service | Purpose | Cookies Set |
|---|---|---|
| Google Analytics | Website usage statistics | _ga, _ga_*, _gid |
| Hotjar | User experience analysis | _hjSessionUser_*, _hjSession_* |
2.3 Functional Cookies
Purpose: Enable enhanced functionality and personalization.
- • Language Preferences: Remember your chosen language
- • User Preferences: Dashboard layout, notification settings
- • Location Services: Remember your preferred location for finding service providers
- • Form Data: Save partially completed forms
2.4 Marketing & Advertising Cookies
Purpose: Used to deliver relevant advertisements and track campaign effectiveness.
| Service | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Google Ads | Show relevant advertisements | 90 days |
| Facebook Pixel | Track conversions and retargeting | 90 days |
| LinkedIn Insight | B2B advertising and analytics | 90 days |
3. Legal Basis for Cookie Use
No Consent Required
- • Strictly necessary cookies
- • Essential security measures
- • Basic website functionality
Consent Required
- • Analytics and performance cookies
- • Marketing and advertising cookies
- • Non-essential functional cookies
4. Managing Your Cookie Preferences
Cookie Management Tools
You can manage your cookie preferences using our cookie management tool, which appears when you first visit our website or can be accessed anytime.
Browser Settings
You can also control cookies through your browser settings. Here's how to manage cookies in popular browsers:
Chrome
Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies and other site data
Firefox
Options → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
Safari
Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
Edge
Settings → Site Permissions → Cookies and Site Data
⚠️ Impact of Disabling Cookies
Disabling certain cookies may affect your experience on our website:
- • You may need to re-enter information repeatedly
- • Personalized features may not work properly
- • Some pages may not load correctly
- • You may see less relevant content and advertisements
5. Third-Party Cookies
Some cookies on our website are set by third-party services. We do not control these cookies, and you should check the relevant third party's cookie policy for more information.
| Third Party | Purpose | Privacy Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Google Analytics | Website analytics and performance monitoring | Google Privacy Policy |
| Stripe | Payment processing and fraud prevention | Stripe Privacy Policy |
| Intercom | Customer support and messaging | Intercom Privacy Policy |
6. Mobile Apps and Other Technologies
6.1 Mobile App Technologies
Our mobile applications may use similar technologies to cookies, including:
- Device identifiers and advertising IDs
- Local storage and cache
- Push notification tokens
- Analytics SDKs
6.2 Other Tracking Technologies
- Web Beacons: Small transparent images used in emails and web pages
- Local Storage: HTML5 local storage for enhanced functionality
- Fingerprinting: Collection of device characteristics for security purposes
7. Updates to This Policy
7.1 We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, legislation, or our practices.
7.2 We will notify you of any significant changes through our website or by email.
7.3 Your continued use of our website after any changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
8. Contact Us
If you have any questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us:
Email: privacy@autochain.co.uk
Address: AutoChain Limited, Gladstone Place, Brighton, BN2 3QE, United Kingdom
For general privacy questions, please see our Privacy Policy
Your Cookie Choices Matter
We respect your right to control how cookies are used. You can manage your preferences at any time using our cookie management tool or through your browser settings.
Remember: Some cookies are essential for our website to function properly and cannot be disabled. These are clearly identified in this policy.
More About Cookies and Online Privacy
Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They serve many purposes: some are essential for the website to function at all (for example, keeping you logged in as you navigate between pages), while others collect data that helps website owners understand how visitors use their site so they can improve the experience. Third-party cookies are set by companies other than the website operator — these are commonly used for advertising and social media tracking purposes. AutoChain does not sell advertising and does not use third-party advertising cookies.
UK law requires that websites obtain informed consent before setting any cookies that are not strictly necessary. The Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) and UK GDPR together govern how cookies must be managed. When you first visit autochain.co.uk, you are shown a cookie banner that gives you the choice to accept or decline non-essential cookies. Your preference is saved in a first-party cookie so that you are not asked again on each visit. You can change your preference at any time by clearing your browser cookies or using the cookie management link in our website footer.
Analytics cookies help us understand which pages are most visited, how long users spend on each page, where visitors come from, and what actions they take. We use this data in aggregate — we cannot identify individual users from analytics data. This information guides decisions about which content to improve and which features to prioritise. If you decline analytics cookies, our analytics data will simply exclude your visits. The website will function identically for you whether you accept or decline analytics cookies.
Performance and functionality cookies improve your experience on the site. For example, they may remember your preferences or enable interactive features such as embedded booking widgets. If you decline these cookies, some features may not work optimally but the core website will remain accessible. We review the cookies used on autochain.co.uk regularly and update this policy whenever we add or remove cookies. If you have questions about specific cookies we use, email privacy@autochain.co.uk and we will provide full details.