What is a Cookie?
A cookie is a text file saved to your browser. It can only be read by the site setting the cookie and is typically used for improving the customer experience. For example it can be used by a website so that you don’t have to log in every time you visit.
What cookies does this site use?
This site uses cookies for registered authors, to help remember what their preferences are, who they are and help with what they are doing. We also set a cookie if you leave a comment. It means you should be able to reply to other comments faster because our software, though not us, will know what information you shared last time.
Additionally, we host third-party plugins. For example the share boxes are supplied by Twitter, Facebook and Google+. Because these boxes come from Twitter, Facebook and Google, we cannot read them. However, if you have signed up to these services, they may be used to track your site visits around the web. If this concerns you, you should visit their site and search for information on Do Not Track options.
YouTube may also set cookies when you watch a video.
We also use two tracking cookies from WordPress and Google. We use Google Analytics to collect information about how people use our site. We do this to make sure it’s meeting your needs and to understand how we could improve it. Google Analytics stores information about what pages you visit, how long you are on the site, how you got here and what you click on. We do not collect or store your personal information (e.g. your name or address) so this information cannot be used to identify who you are.
Why do cookies matter?
New laws from the EU state that sites must inform users over what cookies are being set. On the whole this is a good thing. A flaw in the law is that EU law applies in the EU. Many sites are outwith the EU’s borders, so they can carry on regardless harvesting your data. What we can do is at least inform you who we know will be watching you. We’ll be reviewing how we tackle cookie privacy on an ongoing basis.
What if I don’t want cookies?
Look for the ‘preferences’ panel in your web browser. This may also be called ‘settings’ or similar. Now look for privacy and then deselect any options to allow or use cookies. This will protect you from cookie intrusion in any country.
Dishonest – this is one of those sites that makes it as difficult as possible to refuse cookies.plus a lack of information about who is using these cookies and for what purpose. A simple Opt out is all that is required.