UK Tech News, a leading technology publication, has rolled out an updated Cookie Policy designed to give its readers an unprecedented level of detail about data collection practices on the website. The policy, which took effect on June 4, 2025, applies to all citizens and legal permanent residents of the United Kingdom and aligns with evolving UK data protection standards post-Brexit.
What Are Cookies and Why Do They Matter?
Cookies are small text files stored on a user's device by their web browser. According to the policy, these files enable the website to remember preferences, track browsing behaviour, and deliver personalised advertising. Types include functional cookies that ensure core site operation, statistical cookies for usage analysis, advertising cookies for ad targeting, and marketing/tracking cookies for building user profiles across websites.
Key Changes in the 2025 Policy
The new policy introduces explicit sections on scripts and web beacons, clarifying that scripts are code snippets that make the site interactive, while web beacons (pixel tags) monitor traffic invisibly. It also expands the list of third-party services placing cookies, including Google various services, CloudFlare, Criteo, Google Analytics, PHP, Complianz, One Signal, Google reCAPTCHA, WordPress, Stripe, HubSpot, Hotjar, Facebook, Google Fonts, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google Ads Optimization, Google Ads, Snowplow, Elementor, and miscellaneous vendors.
Detailed Cookie Categories
The policy breaks down cookies by purpose: Functional (e.g., CloudFlare's __cf_bm for bot filtering), Statistics (e.g., Google Analytics _ga storing pageviews for two years), Marketing (e.g., Facebook's _fbp tracking cross-site visits for three months), and Preferences (e.g., LinkedIn's li_alerts saving message display status). Some cookies, like those from Criteo for remarketing, have expirations up to 13 months.
User Consent and Control
Upon first visit, users see a pop-up where they can select cookie categories they accept, then click 'Save preferences' to register their consent. The policy details that users may disable cookies via browser settings but warns that site functionality could be impaired. It also notes that consent can be withdrawn at any time through the cookie banner or browser tools.
A unique feature is the TCF (Transparency & Consent Framework) integration, listing vendors that may process data under legitimate interest grounds. Users can object to such processing per purpose, with separate containers for statistics and marketing. The policy also addresses special features (e.g., precise geolocation), special purposes (e.g., security), and data retention periods.
Data Protection Rights Under UK GDPR
The policy outlines user rights: the right to know why data is collected, right of access, rectification, erasure, data portability, and objection to processing. For example, users can request a copy of their stored data or ask that it be deleted. The publisher encourages direct contact via email or phone, and notes the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
Third-party Services and Data Sharing
A significant portion of the document details partners like Google (various services, Analytics, Fonts, Ads, reCAPTCHA), Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. For each, it lists specific cookies, their expiration, and function. For instance, __hstc from HubSpot stores the time of visit for 13 months, while _gid from Google Analytics counts pageviews for one day. Some cookies, such as those from Snowplow ('snowplowOutQueue_snowday__wn_post'), have purposes pending investigation.
Notably, the policy includes a 'Miscellaneous' category with many cookies where the purpose is yet to be classified, such as 'perf_', 'ev_did', and '__lxG__consent__v2'. This indicates ongoing auditing and suggests that the website continues to evaluate all tracking technologies.
Managing Cookie Settings
Readers can manage consent through a button on the bottom of the page (for AMP users) or by adjusting browser settings. The policy highlights that deletion of cookies will require re-consent on the next visit. It also provides a link to the partner list within the TCF vendor management interface, where each vendor's privacy policy and legitimate interest claims are accessible.
Context: Why This Update Matters
In the wake of the UK's departure from the EU, the country's data protection framework remains largely aligned with GDPR, but with domestic nuances enforced by the ICO. Tech publishers must ensure their cookie policies are clear, accessible, and offer granular user control to avoid penalties. UK Tech News' policy revision reflects industry best practices, such as categorising cookies by type, providing expiration data, and allowing per-purpose consent and legitimate interest objections.
The policy also responds to increased regulatory scrutiny around programmatic advertising and cross-site tracking. By listing every third-party cookie and its specific function, the publication aims to build trust with its readership, many of whom are technology professionals sensitive to data privacy issues.
Technical Compliance Details
The policy synchronised with cookiedatabase.org on May 20, 2026, ensuring accuracy of cookie descriptions. It was last updated via a legal review. The contact details provided—124 City Road, London, EC1V 2NX—offer a physical presence for data subject requests. The email address mydata@ex.comwearemvi.com is likely a typo in the original; users have reported that the correct contact is through the website's privacy portal.
For publishers using platforms like WordPress, Complianz (cookie consent management), and HubSpot (marketing automation), the policy details the corresponding cookies: cmplz_ cookies store consent preferences for 365 days, while hubspotutk tracks visitor identity for 13 months. These integrations allow seamless user experience management while adhering to consent requirements.
The inclusion of Snowplow for website statistics and Hotjar for heatmaps indicates a focus on user behaviour analytics to optimise content and layout. Snowplow's _sp_id cookie persists for two years, enabling long-term trend analysis. Similarly, Facebook's extensive cookie list—from fbm for account details to fr for ad delivery—highlights the deep integration of social features on the site.
What This Means for Visitors
With this policy, UK Tech News visitors gain clarity on exactly which cookies are placed, by whom, and for how long. They can make informed choices about which tracking they permit, and they can exercise their data rights conveniently. The policy aligns with the principle of 'privacy by design' and demonstrates the publisher's commitment to compliance in an evolving legal landscape.
In summary, the 2025 Cookie Policy represents a thorough and user-centric overhaul, balancing the need for effective website operation and advertising revenue with robust protections for personal data. As data privacy laws continue to develop worldwide, such transparency becomes a benchmark for responsible digital publishing.
Source: UKTN News