This Cookie Policy explains how Sterlavion (sterlavion.org) uses cookies and similar technologies when you visit our website. It should be read alongside our Privacy Policy, which sets out how we handle personal data more broadly. This policy complies with the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR) and the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR).
What Are Cookies
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, tablet, or smartphone) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites function correctly, improve user experience, and provide information to website operators about how their sites are used.
Cookies can be "session cookies," which are deleted when you close your browser, or "persistent cookies," which remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them. Cookies can be set by the website you are visiting (first-party cookies) or by third parties whose services are embedded in that website (third-party cookies).
Similar technologies include web beacons, pixel tags, and local storage. Where this policy refers to "cookies," it encompasses these similar technologies unless otherwise specified.
Why We Use Cookies
Sterlavion uses cookies for several distinct purposes. Some cookies are necessary for the website to function at all. Others help us understand how visitors use the site so that we can improve the educational content and user experience. Where cookies are not strictly necessary, we only place them with your prior consent, as required by PECR and UK GDPR.
We do not use cookies to build advertising profiles, track you across other websites, or sell your data to third parties.
Types of Cookies We Use
Sterlavion uses three categories of cookies: essential, analytics, and functional. Each category is described in the sections below. Your cookie preferences, set through our consent interface, determine which non-essential categories are active during your visit.
Essential Cookies
Essential cookies are strictly necessary for the website to operate. Without them, basic functions such as page navigation and form submission would not work. These cookies do not collect personal data for marketing purposes and are placed on your device without requiring your consent, as permitted under PECR Regulation 6(4).
Examples of essential cookies used by Sterlavion include cookies that store your cookie consent preferences (so you are not asked every time you visit), and session management cookies that maintain the continuity of your browsing session.
Analytics Cookies
Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors interact with the website. They collect information about which pages are visited, how long visitors spend on each page, and how they navigate through the site. This information is used in aggregate form to improve the structure and content of the website.
Analytics cookies are only placed if you have given your consent. Where analytics services process data on our behalf, they do so as data processors under contractual arrangements that comply with UK GDPR requirements.
If you decline analytics cookies, your visit will not be tracked for analytical purposes. This does not affect the functionality of the website.
Functional Cookies
Functional cookies enable the website to remember choices you make (such as your preferred language or region) and provide enhanced, more personalised features. They may also be used to remember settings you have applied, such as text size preferences.
Functional cookies are placed only with your consent. They do not track your browsing activity on other websites.
At the current time, Sterlavion uses a limited number of functional cookies. If this changes, this policy will be updated accordingly.
Your Consent
When you first visit sterlavion.org, a cookie consent interface is displayed. This allows you to accept or decline non-essential cookies. Essential cookies are always active as they are necessary for the website to function.
Your consent choices are stored in the ste_consent cookie so that you are not asked again on subsequent visits. This consent cookie is itself an essential cookie and does not require separate consent.
Consent given through our cookie interface is specific to the categories described in this policy. It does not constitute consent for any other form of data processing. Your consent can be withdrawn at any time by accessing the cookie settings through the icon displayed on the website.
Under UK GDPR and PECR, consent must be freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous. Our consent mechanism is designed to meet these requirements. Pre-ticked boxes and implied consent are not used.
Managing Cookies
You can manage your cookie preferences at any time through the Sterlavion cookie settings interface, accessible via the icon in the bottom-right corner of any page on this website.
You can also control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to view, block, and delete cookies. Instructions for common browsers are available at the following locations:
Google Chrome: Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and other site data
Mozilla Firefox: Options > Privacy and Security > Cookies and Site Data
Microsoft Edge: Settings > Cookies and site permissions
Safari: Preferences > Privacy
Please note that blocking all cookies may affect the functionality of this and other websites. Essential cookies cannot be disabled through the Sterlavion consent interface, but can be blocked via browser settings, which may impair site functionality.
Third-Party Cookies
Some cookies on this website are set by third-party services. These third parties have their own privacy and cookie policies, which govern how they use the data collected through their cookies. Sterlavion does not control the data practices of third-party cookie providers.
Where third-party cookies are analytics cookies (such as those set by Google Analytics), they are only active if you have consented to analytics cookies through our consent interface. You can also opt out of Google Analytics across all websites by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on, available at tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.
Sterlavion does not use third-party advertising or retargeting cookies.
Policy Updates
This Cookie Policy may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in the cookies we use, changes in applicable law, or changes in our practices. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this page will be revised whenever changes are made.
Where changes are significant, we may reset cookie consent preferences so that you are asked to review and reconfirm your choices. We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about how Sterlavion uses cookies, or if you wish to exercise any rights in relation to data collected through cookies, please contact us:
Sterlavion
11 Stratford Rd, London W8 6RF
Email: support@sterlavion.org
Telephone: +44 20 7937 3586
Complaints about cookie practices may also be directed to the Information Commissioner's Office at ico.org.uk.