Cookie Policy

1. Introduction

This Cookie Policy explains how Hale Technology ("we", "us", "our") uses cookies and similar technologies when you visit our websites and use our mobile applications (collectively, the "Services").

This policy should be read in conjunction with our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By continuing to use our Services, you consent to our use of cookies as described in this policy.

2. Why We Use Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies for several important purposes:

• Essential Functionality: To enable core features of our Services, such as user authentication, security, and session management
• Performance and Analytics: To understand how users interact with our Services and identify areas for improvement
• Personalisation: To remember your preferences and settings for a better user experience
• Security: To detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and security incidents
• Marketing: To deliver relevant advertisements and measure their effectiveness (with your consent)

3. Types of Cookies We Use

3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are essential for the operation of our Services. They enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. You cannot opt-out of these cookies as the Services would not function properly without them.

Examples include:

• Authentication cookies to verify your identity when you log in
• Session cookies to keep you logged in during your visit
• Security cookies to protect against malicious activity
• Load balancing cookies to distribute traffic efficiently

3.2 Functional Cookies

These cookies allow us to remember your preferences and choices to provide enhanced, personalised features. While not strictly necessary, they significantly improve your experience.

Examples include:

• Language preference cookies
• Font size and display preferences
• Location preferences for property searches (RentIt)
• Search filters and sorting preferences
• User interface customisation

3.3 Analytics and Performance Cookies

These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our Services by collecting and reporting information anonymously. This helps us improve our Services and fix technical issues.

Examples include:

• Google Analytics cookies to track page views and user behaviour
• Performance monitoring cookies to identify errors and slow pages
• A/B testing cookies to test new features
• Heatmap cookies to understand user engagement

3.4 Marketing and Advertising Cookies

These cookies are used to deliver advertisements that are relevant to you and your interests. They may also be used to limit the number of times you see an advertisement and measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns.

Examples include:

• Google Ads cookies for targeted advertising
• Social media cookies for social sharing and advertising
• Retargeting cookies to show you relevant ads on other websites
• Conversion tracking cookies to measure ad performance

4. Detailed Cookie Information

4.1 First-Party Cookies

First-party cookies are set directly by us when you visit our Services. We use these cookies for essential functionality, analytics, and personalisation.

Cookie Name	Purpose	Type	Duration
session_id	Maintains your login session	Essential	Session
csrf_token	Security protection against cross-site request forgery	Essential	Session
user_preferences	Stores your language and display preferences	Functional	1 year
cookie_consent	Remembers your cookie preferences	Essential	1 year
_hale_analytics	Tracks page views and user interactions	Analytics	2 years
location_pref	Stores your location preferences for search	Functional	6 months

4.2 Third-Party Cookies

Third-party cookies are set by external services that we use on our Services. These may include analytics providers, advertising networks, and social media platforms.

Service Provider	Purpose	Type	Learn More
Google Analytics	Website analytics and user behaviour tracking	Analytics	Privacy Policy
Google Ads	Advertising and conversion tracking	Marketing	Privacy Policy
Facebook Pixel	Social media advertising and analytics	Marketing	Privacy Policy
Stripe	Payment processing and fraud prevention	Essential	Privacy Policy
Cloudflare	Content delivery and security	Essential	Privacy Policy

5. Other Tracking Technologies

5.1 Web Beacons (Pixels)

Web beacons are tiny graphics with a unique identifier that are used to track online movements of web users. Unlike cookies, which are stored on your device, web beacons are invisibly embedded in web pages or emails.

5.2 Local Storage

Local storage allows websites to store data in your browser without an expiration date. We use local storage to cache data for offline functionality in our mobile applications and to improve loading times.

5.3 Software Development Kits (SDKs)

Our mobile applications may use third-party SDKs that collect data for analytics, advertising, and functionality purposes. These include:

• Google Analytics for Firebase (app analytics)
• Google AdMob (mobile advertising)
• Crashlytics (crash reporting)
• Facebook SDK (social features and analytics)

5.4 Device Identifiers

Mobile applications may access device identifiers such as Advertising ID (Android) or IDFA (iOS) to provide personalised advertising and analytics. You can reset or limit the use of these identifiers in your device settings.

6. How to Manage Cookies

6.1 Cookie Consent Banner

When you first visit our website, you will see a cookie consent banner allowing you to accept or customise your cookie preferences. You can change these preferences at any time by clicking the "Cookie Settings" link in our footer.

6.2 Browser Settings

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can:

• View which cookies are stored on your device
• Delete existing cookies
• Block all or specific cookies
• Set preferences for specific websites

How to manage cookies in popular browsers:

• Google Chrome: Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data
• Mozilla Firefox: Options > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
• Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data
• Microsoft Edge: Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Cookies and site data

6.3 Mobile App Settings

For our mobile applications, you can manage tracking preferences through:

• Android: Settings > Google > Ads > Opt out of Ads Personalisation
• iOS: Settings > Privacy > Tracking > Allow Apps to Request to Track
• In-app settings: Many of our apps have privacy settings where you can manage data collection

6.4 Third-Party Opt-Out Tools

You can also opt out of certain third-party cookies through these industry tools:

• Google Analytics Opt-out: Browser Add-on
• Network Advertising Initiative: Opt-out Tool
• Digital Advertising Alliance: Your Online Choices
• Google Ads Settings: Manage Preferences

7. Do Not Track Signals

Some browsers offer a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature that sends a signal to websites requesting not to be tracked. Currently, there is no industry standard for responding to DNT signals, and our Services do not respond to DNT browser signals. However, you can control tracking through the cookie preferences and browser settings described above.

8. International Data Transfers

Some of the third-party services that set cookies on our Services are located outside the UK and European Economic Area (EEA). When you consent to these cookies, your data may be transferred to and processed in other countries. We ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place through:

• Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission
• Adequacy decisions for countries with equivalent data protection standards
• Privacy Shield certifications (where applicable)
• Binding corporate rules for international companies

9. Children's Privacy

Our Services are not directed to children under 16 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children through cookies or other tracking technologies. If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us immediately.

10. Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make significant changes, we will:

• Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• Notify you through our website or app
• Request your renewed consent where required by law

We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies.

11. Your Rights Under UK GDPR

Under UK data protection law, you have rights regarding your personal data, including data collected through cookies:

• Right to Access: You can request information about the personal data we hold about you
• Right to Rectification: You can request correction of inaccurate personal data
• Right to Erasure: You can request deletion of your personal data in certain circumstances
• Right to Restrict Processing: You can request that we limit how we use your data
• Right to Data Portability: You can request a copy of your data in a structured format
• Right to Object: You can object to certain types of processing, including marketing
• Right to Withdraw Consent: You can withdraw cookie consent at any time

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the details below.

12. Specific Applications

12.1 RentIt and Landlord Assist UK

These property-related applications use cookies to:

• Remember your property search preferences and filters
• Store your location preferences for localised results
• Track property viewing history for recommendations
• Enable map functionality and saved searches

12.2 UK Networking

Our networking platform uses cookies to:

• Maintain your login session across devices
• Remember your event preferences and RSVPs
• Track your networking connections and interactions
• Personalise event recommendations

12.3 Young Guns

The job board uses cookies to:

• Save your job search criteria and alerts
• Track your job application history
• Provide personalised job recommendations
• Remember your CV and profile information

12.4 Builders Mate

The construction calculator uses cookies to:

• Store your calculation history and preferences
• Remember your material and labour rate settings
• Enable offline functionality for saved estimates

12.5 Reception

The beauty business management app uses cookies to:

• Maintain your business account session
• Store booking and appointment preferences
• Track customer management activities
• Enable calendar synchronisation

13. Cookie Audit and Compliance

We regularly audit the cookies used on our Services to ensure compliance with UK and EU data protection laws. This includes:

• Regular cookie scans to identify all cookies
• Classification of cookies by purpose and type
• Documentation of cookie retention periods
• Verification that consent is properly obtained and recorded
• Review of third-party cookie practices

14. Contact Us About Cookies