Cookie Policy

Last Updated: October 11, 2025

Introduction

This Cookie Policy explains how The Black Society Community Network ("we," "us," or "our") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on our platform at blacksociety.co.uk. This policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

By using our platform, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with this Cookie Policy. If you do not agree to our use of cookies, you should adjust your browser settings or refrain from using our platform.

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, smartphone, tablet) when you visit a website. Cookies are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and provide information to website owners.

Cookies can be:

• Session cookies: Temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser
• Persistent cookies: Cookies that remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them
• First-party cookies: Set by the website you are visiting
• Third-party cookies: Set by a domain other than the one you are visiting

How We Use Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

Essential Cookies

These cookies are necessary for the platform to function properly. They enable core functionality such as:

• Authentication: Keeping you logged in as you navigate the platform
• Security: Protecting against fraudulent activity and ensuring secure connections
• Session management: Maintaining your session state and preferences
• Load balancing: Distributing traffic across our servers

You cannot opt out of essential cookies, as they are required for the platform to operate.

Examples:

• session_id - Maintains your login session
• csrf_token - Protects against cross-site request forgery attacks
• cookie_consent - Remembers your cookie preferences

Performance and Analytics Cookies

These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our platform by collecting and reporting information anonymously. This helps us improve the platform's performance and user experience.

What we measure:

• Number of visitors and page views
• How long users spend on different pages
• Which features are most popular
• Where users come from (referring websites)
• Error messages and technical issues

Examples:

• _ga - Google Analytics: Distinguishes unique users
• _gid - Google Analytics: Distinguishes unique users
• _gat - Google Analytics: Throttles request rate

Functionality Cookies

These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalization, such as:

• Language preferences: Remembering your language selection
• Display settings: Remembering your theme, font size, or layout preferences
• Content preferences: Personalizing content based on your interests
• Location: Remembering your location for relevant content

Examples:

• user_preferences - Stores your platform settings
• theme - Remembers your theme choice (light/dark mode)
• language - Stores your language preference

Targeting and Advertising Cookies

We may use these cookies to deliver relevant content and measure the effectiveness of our campaigns. These cookies:

• Track your browsing activity across websites
• Build a profile of your interests
• Show you relevant content and advertisements
• Measure campaign effectiveness

Note: As a charitable organization, we prioritize community benefit over commercial advertising. Any advertising or promotional content is aligned with our mission and values.

Examples:

• ad_id - Identifies you for targeted content
• campaign_source - Tracks which campaigns you came from

Social Media Cookies

When you share content using social media sharing buttons or interact with our social media content, cookies may be set by those social media platforms.

Examples:

• Facebook pixel - Tracks interactions with Facebook content
• Twitter cookies - Enables Twitter sharing and tracking
• LinkedIn cookies - Enables LinkedIn sharing and tracking

Third-Party Cookies

We work with trusted third-party service providers who may set cookies on our platform. These include:

Analytics Providers

• Google Analytics: Helps us understand platform usage and improve user experience
• Hotjar (if used): Provides heatmaps and session recordings to improve usability

Communication Tools

• Intercom (if used): Enables customer support chat functionality
• Mailchimp (if used): Manages email newsletter subscriptions

Payment Processors

• Stripe (if used): Processes donations and payments securely
• PayPal (if used): Alternative payment processing

Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)

• Cloudflare: Improves platform performance and security
• AWS CloudFront: Delivers content quickly and securely

These third parties have their own privacy policies and cookie policies. We recommend reviewing their policies to understand how they use cookies.

Other Tracking Technologies

In addition to cookies, we may use other tracking technologies:

Web Beacons (Pixel Tags)

Small graphic images embedded in web pages or emails that track whether you have viewed a particular page or opened an email.

Local Storage

HTML5 local storage allows websites to store data on your device. We use local storage for:

• Caching content for faster loading
• Storing user preferences
• Maintaining application state

Device Fingerprinting

We may collect information about your device (browser type, operating system, screen resolution) to detect fraud and improve security.

Managing Your Cookie Preferences

You have several options for managing cookies:

Cookie Consent Banner

When you first visit our platform, you will see a cookie consent banner allowing you to:

• Accept all cookies
• Reject non-essential cookies
• Customize your cookie preferences

You can change your preferences at any time by clicking the "Cookie Settings" link in the footer.

Browser Settings

Most browsers allow you to:

• View and delete cookies
• Block all cookies
• Block third-party cookies
• Clear cookies when you close the browser

How to manage cookies in popular browsers:

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

Note: Blocking essential cookies may prevent you from using certain features of the platform.

Opt-Out Tools

You can opt out of specific types of tracking:

• Google Analytics: Install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
• Advertising cookies: Visit Your Online Choices or Network Advertising Initiative
• Do Not Track: Enable the "Do Not Track" setting in your browser (note: not all websites honor this setting)

Cookies We Use

Below is a detailed list of cookies used on our platform:

Essential Cookies

Cookie Name	Purpose	Duration	Type
session_id	Maintains your login session	Session	First-party
csrf_token	Security protection	Session	First-party
cookie_consent	Stores your cookie preferences	1 year	First-party
auth_token	Authentication token	30 days	First-party

Performance Cookies

Cookie Name	Purpose	Duration	Type
_ga	Google Analytics user ID	2 years	Third-party
_gid	Google Analytics session ID	24 hours	Third-party
_gat	Google Analytics throttling	1 minute	Third-party

Functionality Cookies

Cookie Name	Purpose	Duration	Type
user_preferences	Platform settings	1 year	First-party
theme	Theme preference	1 year	First-party
language	Language preference	1 year	First-party

Targeting Cookies

Cookie Name	Purpose	Duration	Type
campaign_source	Campaign tracking	30 days	First-party
referral_id	Referral tracking	30 days	First-party

Impact of Disabling Cookies

If you disable cookies, you may experience:

• Inability to log in or stay logged in
• Loss of personalized settings and preferences
• Reduced platform functionality
• Need to re-enter information repeatedly
• Less relevant content recommendations

Updates to This Cookie Policy

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

• We will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• We will notify you of significant changes via email or platform notification
• Your continued use of the platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy

Your Rights

Under UK GDPR and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR), you have rights regarding cookies and tracking technologies:

• Right to be informed: We must clearly inform you about cookies we use
• Right to consent: We must obtain your consent for non-essential cookies
• Right to withdraw consent: You can withdraw consent at any time
• Right to object: You can object to certain types of tracking

Contact Us

If you have questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us:

The Black Society
Email: [email protected]
Support: [email protected]
Address: Southwark, London, United Kingdom

For more information about cookies and how to manage them, visit:

• Information Commissioner's Office (ICO): https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/online/cookies/
• About Cookies: https://www.aboutcookies.org/
• All About Cookies: https://www.allaboutcookies.org/

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Thank you for taking the time to understand how we use cookies. Your privacy and trust are important to us.