1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, smartphone, or tablet) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and provide information to the site owners about how users interact with their websites.
Cookies contain information that is transferred to your device's hard drive and help us recognise your device and store some information about your preferences or past actions.
2. How We Use Cookies
Mystic Border uses cookies to:
- Ensure our website functions properly and securely
- Remember your preferences and settings
- Understand how you use our website to improve user experience
- Provide personalised content and recommendations
- Measure the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns
- Comply with legal and regulatory requirements
3. Types of Cookies We Use
3.1 Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for the website to function properly and cannot be disabled. They include:
- Session cookies: Temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser
- Security cookies: Help protect against fraudulent activities and secure your browsing
- Functionality cookies: Remember your preferences such as language settings
- Cookie consent cookies: Remember your cookie preferences
3.2 Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously:
- Google Analytics: Tracks website usage statistics
- Performance monitoring: Monitors website speed and performance
- Heat mapping: Understand user behaviour patterns
- A/B testing: Test different versions of web pages
3.3 Marketing Cookies
These cookies are used to deliver relevant advertisements and track the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns:
- Advertising cookies: Show relevant ads based on your interests
- Social media cookies: Enable sharing on social platforms
- Remarketing cookies: Show ads to users who have visited our website
- Conversion tracking: Measure the success of our marketing efforts
3.4 Preference Cookies
These cookies remember your choices to provide a more personalised experience:
- Language preferences: Remember your preferred language
- Display preferences: Remember layout and design choices
- Form data: Remember information you've entered in forms
- Location data: Remember your general location for relevant content
4. Third-Party Cookies
Some cookies are set by third-party services that appear on our pages. We do not control these cookies, and you should check the relevant third party's website for more information. Third-party cookies we use include:
4.1 Google Services
- Google Analytics: Website analytics and reporting
- Google Ads: Advertising and remarketing
- Google Fonts: Web font delivery
4.2 Social Media Platforms
- Facebook: Social sharing and advertising
- Twitter: Social sharing and embedded content
- LinkedIn: Professional networking and sharing
- Instagram: Visual content sharing
4.3 Other Services
- Content delivery networks: Faster website loading
- Email marketing platforms: Newsletter and campaign management
- Customer support tools: Live chat and help desk functionality
5. Cookie Duration
Cookies have different lifespans:
- Session cookies: Deleted when you close your browser
- Persistent cookies: Remain on your device for a set period or until manually deleted
- Analytics cookies: Typically expire after 2 years
- Marketing cookies: Usually expire after 30 days to 2 years
- Preference cookies: May last up to 1 year
6. Managing Your Cookie Preferences
6.1 Cookie Banner
When you first visit our website, you'll see a cookie banner allowing you to:
- Accept all cookies
- Accept only necessary cookies
- Customise your preferences
6.2 Browser Settings
You can control cookies through your browser settings:
- Chrome: Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data
- Firefox: Options > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
- Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Cookies and website data
- Edge: Settings > Cookies and site permissions
6.3 Cookie Management Tools
You can use various tools to manage cookies:
- Browser extensions for cookie management
- Privacy-focused browsers
- Ad blockers with cookie control features
7. Impact of Disabling Cookies
Disabling certain cookies may affect your experience on our website:
- Necessary cookies: The website may not function properly
- Analytics cookies: We cannot improve our website based on usage data
- Marketing cookies: You may see less relevant advertisements
- Preference cookies: You'll need to reset preferences on each visit
8. Legal Basis for Cookie Use
Our use of cookies is based on:
- Necessary cookies: Legitimate interest in website functionality
- Analytics cookies: Legitimate interest in improving our services
- Marketing cookies: Your explicit consent
- Preference cookies: Your implied consent through website use
9. Mobile Apps and Other Platforms
This Cookie Policy applies primarily to our website. If we develop mobile applications or use other platforms, we will provide separate privacy notices explaining data collection and use practices for those platforms.
10. Updates to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy periodically to reflect changes in:
- Our cookie practices
- Legal requirements
- Technology developments
- Business operations
We will post any changes on this page with an updated "last modified" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
11. Your Rights
Under UK data protection law, you have rights regarding cookies and personal data:
- Right to object: Object to processing for marketing purposes
- Right to withdraw consent: Withdraw consent for non-essential cookies
- Right of access: Request information about data processing
- Right to erasure: Request deletion of personal data in certain circumstances
12. Contact Us
If you have questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us:
13. Useful Resources
For more information about cookies and online privacy: