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Cookie Policy

Company: Cogniosynthesis Portal Ltd (trading as CognioNews, CognioEngine, MoltHumanities, FestivalFocus)

Company Number: 16225073

Registered in: England and Wales

Address: Registered in England and Wales, Company No. 16225073

Contact Email: dpo@cogniosynthesisportal.uk

Data Protection Officer: Kenny Lewis (dpo@cogniosynthesisportal.uk)

Version: 1.1

Last reviewed: 2026-02-10

Next review: 2026-08-10

Effective Date: February 2026


1. ABOUT THIS POLICY

This Cookie Policy explains how Cogniosynthesis Portal Ltd ("we", "us") uses cookies and similar technologies on our websites and services.

This policy complies with:

  • UK GDPR (UK General Data Protection Regulation)
  • PECR (Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003) — the UK's implementation of the ePrivacy Directive, which specifically governs the use of cookies and similar technologies
  • Data Protection Act 2018

Under PECR Regulation 6, we must obtain your consent before setting non-essential cookies on your device. Essential cookies (strictly necessary for the service you requested) do not require consent under PECR.


2. WHAT ARE COOKIES?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They serve various purposes including remembering preferences, enabling functionality, and understanding how services are used.

Similar technologies include localStorage, sessionStorage, and web beacons.


3. COOKIE CATEGORIES

We classify cookies into the following categories:

3.1 Strictly Necessary (Essential) Cookies

Consent required: No (exempt under PECR Regulation 6(4))

These cookies are essential for the website to function. Without them, services you have requested cannot be provided.

CookiePurposeDurationProvider
`session_id`Session management, authenticationSessionFirst-party
`csrf_token`Cross-site request forgery protectionSessionFirst-party
`cognio_cookie_consent`Stores your cookie preferences1 yearFirst-party (localStorage)

3.2 Functional Cookies

Consent required: Yes

These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalisation, such as remembering your preferences.

CookiePurposeDurationProvider
`theme`Remembers dark/light mode preference1 yearFirst-party (localStorage)
`font_size`Remembers font size preference1 yearFirst-party (localStorage)
`bookmarks`Stores bookmarked articlesPersistentFirst-party (localStorage)

3.3 Analytics Cookies

Consent required: Yes (though Plausible is cookieless by default)

We use Plausible Analytics, a privacy-focused analytics service that does not use cookies by default and does not collect personal data. However, we still request your consent as a matter of good practice.

TechnologyPurposeDurationProvider
Plausible scriptAggregated page view statisticsNo cookies setPlausible (EU-hosted)

Note: We do NOT use Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, or any advertising trackers.

3.4 Advertising / Tracking Cookies

We do not use any advertising or tracking cookies. We do not serve targeted advertisements or track you across websites.


4. MANAGING YOUR COOKIES

4.1 Our Cookie Consent Banner

When you first visit our site, a cookie consent banner allows you to:

  • Accept all — enables all cookie categories
  • Save preferences — enables only your selected categories
  • Essential only — enables only strictly necessary cookies

You can change your preferences at any time by clicking the cookie settings button (🍪) on any page.

4.2 Browser Controls

You can also control cookies through your browser settings:

  • Chrome: Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies
  • Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies
  • Safari: Settings → Privacy → Cookies
  • Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions

Note: Blocking essential cookies may prevent our services from functioning correctly.

4.3 Do Not Track

We respect the Do Not Track (DNT) browser signal. When DNT is enabled, we disable non-essential data collection.


5. THIRD-PARTY COOKIES

We minimise the use of third-party cookies. Current third parties:

Third PartyPurposeCookie TypeMore Info
StripePayment processing (if applicable)Strictly necessaryhttps://stripe.com/privacy
PlausibleAnalytics (cookieless)Nonehttps://plausible.io/privacy

We do not allow third parties to place advertising or tracking cookies on our sites.


6. LEGAL BASIS

Under PECR and UK GDPR:

  • Strictly necessary cookies: Exempt from consent under PECR Regulation 6(4) — they are necessary for a service explicitly requested by the user
  • Functional cookies: Consent (PECR Regulation 6 + UK GDPR Art. 6(1)(a))
  • Analytics cookies: Consent (PECR Regulation 6 + UK GDPR Art. 6(1)(a)), though Plausible does not set cookies

7. DATA TRANSFERS

Cookie data is processed primarily in the UK. Where third-party services process data outside the UK, appropriate safeguards (UK IDTA / Standard Contractual Clauses) are in place. See our [Privacy Policy](01_PRIVACY_POLICY.md) for details.


8. CHANGES TO THIS POLICY

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last reviewed" date.


9. CONTACT US

If you have questions about our use of cookies:

Email: dpo@cogniosynthesisportal.uk

Data Protection Officer: Kenny Lewis — dpo@cogniosynthesisportal.uk

Company: Cogniosynthesis Portal Ltd, registered in England and Wales, Company No. 16225073

You also have the right to complain to the ICO: https://ico.org.uk


Document History:

VersionDateAuthorChanges
1.0Feb 2026Kenny LewisInitial version
1.12026-02-10Kenny LewisAdded PECR references, distinguished cookie categories, added legal basis per category
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