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Cookie Policy

Every cookie and similar technology we use on webask.co.uk, what it is for, and how to change your choice.

Last updated 1 October 2026

Working draft. This cookie policy is due a legal review and may change after it. This version applies until then, and any change will show a new date above.

This policy lists what webask.co.uk stores on your device, and why. Read it with our Privacy Notice, which explains how we handle personal data.

In short: the site sets no cookies of its own. It keeps two entries in your browser's local storage, and only after you act. Google Analytics loads only if you accept analytics cookies, and only then can it set cookies.

Cookies and similar technologies

Cookies are small text files a website stores on your device to remember something about your visit. Your browser's local storage does a similar job without being a cookie. The Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) cover both, and so does this policy.

What the site stores in your browser

The site stores two entries in your browser's local storage. Neither is a cookie, neither is sent to us or to anyone else, and each is written only when you act. Both stay until you clear this site's data in your browser:

  • theme: the light or dark mode you chose. Written only when you use the theme switch.
  • webask:analytics-consent: whether you accepted or rejected analytics cookies, so that the banner does not ask again on every page. Written when you answer the banner.

Google Analytics 4 — only after you accept

If you accept analytics cookies, Google Analytics 4 loads and Google sets the cookies below on this site's domain. If you reject them, or have not yet chosen, it does not load and neither cookie is set. Google gives these purposes and lifetimes:

  • _ga: used to distinguish users. Lasts 2 years.
  • _ga_<container-id>: used to keep the state of your session. Lasts 2 years.

Why we ask for consent

Since 5 February 2026, PECR has included an exception that allows some analytics without consent, for statistical purposes. The ICO, the UK regulator, says it is “not a broad exception that covers all types of analytics technologies or ways you can use them”. It also says that a third-party analytics provider must be a processor, not a joint controller, for the exception to apply.

We do not rely on that exception for Google Analytics. We ask for your consent before it loads.

Vercel's traffic and speed measurement

Vercel, our hosting provider, measures traffic and page speed for every visitor, whether or not you accept analytics cookies. Vercel says its Web Analytics does not use cookies: it identifies visitors by a hash created from the request and discards the visitor session after 24 hours. Vercel says the data points of both Web Analytics and Speed Insights are anonymous.

Changing your choice

You can change your answer at any time with the “Cookie settings” link in the footer of every page. If you reject analytics cookies after accepting them, Google Analytics does not load from then on.

One limitation: rejecting does not delete cookies that Google has already set. They expire on their own schedule, or you can delete them now in your browser's settings, which also let you block cookies altogether. Clearing this site's data in your browser also removes the theme and consent entries, so the banner will ask again.

Changes to this policy

We will update this policy whenever the cookies or similar technologies the site uses change, and change the date at the top when we do.

Contact us

Questions about cookies on this site? Email info@webask.co.uk and we will reply within one working day.