Cookie Policy

1. Our Approach to Digital Transparency

At Avalon Data, we practice what we preach. In accordance with the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) as amended by the Data (Use and Access) Act (DUAA) 2025, we provide clear and comprehensive information about how we use cookies and similar technologies.

Our website is designed to minimise tracking. We do not use "dark patterns" to influence your choices; our "Reject All" and "Accept All" options are of equal visual prominence.

What are Cookies? Cookies are small text files placed on your device. We use them to ensure our site functions securely, to understand how visitors interact with our content, and to provide you with relevant compliance updates.

2. How We Categorise Cookies (2026 Framework)

Following the DUAA 2025 commencement on February 5, 2026, we categorise our cookies into three tiers based on their regulatory risk:

Tier A: Strictly Necessary (Consent Exempt)

These are essential for the operation of the site. Under the DUAA 2025, this includes cookies used for:

• Security & Fraud Prevention: Detecting malicious activity or "claimant bot" behaviour.
• Technical Functionality: Load balancing and ensuring the site displays correctly on your device.
• Statutory Compliance: Remembering your privacy and cookie preferences.

Tier B: Low-Risk Analytics & Appearance (Opt-Out Model)

Under the DUAA 2025 "Statistical Purposes" exception, we may deploy these without prior consent, provided we offer a simple way to opt out.

• Purpose: Collecting aggregate, anonymous statistics to improve website performance.
• Condition: This data is not used for profiling or shared with third parties for advertising.

Tier C: Marketing & Tracking (Active Opt-In Required)

These cookies require your clear affirmative action before they are activated.

• Purpose: To provide you with tailored alerts regarding SRA thematic reviews or upcoming DUAA deadlines.
• Standard: These remain Disabled by Default until you click "Accept All" or "Save Preferences".

3. Managing Your Preferences

You have total control over your digital footprint:

• The Banner: Use our 2026-standard banner to "Accept All," "Reject All," or customise your settings.
• The Preference Centre: You can revisit your choices at any time via the "Cookie Settings" link in our footer.
• Browser Controls: Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies. Note that blocking "Strictly Necessary" cookies may impact site performance.

4. Retention & Third Parties

• Duration: We do not store persistent cookies for longer than 12 months.
• Third Parties: Where we use third-party tools (e.g., for secure video hosting or analytics), we ensure a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) is in place to prevent them from using your data for their own purposes.

5. Contact & Complaints

If you have questions about this policy, please contact our Data Lead at [email protected]. If you are dissatisfied with our response, you have a statutory right to use our Data Complaints Portal before escalating to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

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6. What Are Cookies

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and provide information to website owners. Cookies allow websites to recognise your device and remember information about your visit, such as your preferred language, login information, and other settings. This can make your next visit easier and the site more useful to you.

7. How We Use Cookies

Avalon Data uses cookies for the following purposes:

• Essential Cookies: Required for the Website to function properly. These cookies enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. You cannot opt out of these cookies.
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our Website by collecting and reporting information anonymously. This helps us improve our Website's performance and user experience.
• Marketing Cookies: Used to track visitors across websites to display relevant advertisements that are more interesting to individual users.

8. Types of Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies

Analytics Cookies

9. Managing Your Cookie Preferences

When you first visit our Website, you will see a cookie banner that allows you to accept or reject non-essential cookies. You can change your preferences at any time by:

• Clicking the "Customise" button in the cookie banner at the bottom of the page
• Clearing your browser cookies
• Using browser settings to block or delete cookies

Please note that blocking essential cookies may affect the functionality of our Website.

10. Third-Party Cookies

Some cookies are placed by third-party services that appear on our pages. We do not control these cookies. You should review the privacy policies of these third parties to understand how they use cookies. Common third-party services we use include Google Analytics for website analytics.

11. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. We will post any changes on this page and update the "Last updated" date at the top of this policy.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions about our use of cookies, please contact us:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 0333 041 9992