Cookie Policy
1. What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, tablet or phone) when you visit a website. They allow the website to recognise your device on future visits and remember information about your preferences or actions.
Some cookies are essential — they make the site work. Others are non-essential (such as analytics cookies) and are only placed on your device with your consent, in line with UK GDPR and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR).
2. Cookies we use
We currently use only one category of non-essential cookies, served exclusively through Google Analytics. We do not use advertising, social media, or any other third-party cookies.
| Cookie name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
_ga |
Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique users by assigning a randomly generated number as a client identifier | 2 years |
_ga_* |
Google Analytics | Stores and counts page views for a specific Google Analytics property | 2 years |
_gid |
Google Analytics | Distinguishes users; used to throttle request rate | 24 hours |
_gat |
Google Analytics | Used to throttle request rate to Google's servers | 1 minute |
upthread_cookie_consent |
UpThread | Stores your cookie preference (accepted or declined) so we don't ask you again. This is a functional cookie — it holds no personal data and does not track behaviour. | Until you clear browser storage |
* Google Analytics cookies are only placed if you accept analytics cookies. Your IP address is anonymised before it is sent to Google's servers, and we do not allow Google to use our data for its own advertising purposes.
3. Legal basis for processing
Under UK GDPR, we rely on your
freely given consent (Article 6(1)(a)) to set
analytics cookies. You can withdraw that consent at any time (see
Section 5). The upthread_cookie_consent preference cookie
is placed on the basis of our legitimate interest in
not repeatedly showing you a consent banner you have already responded
to.
4. What Google Analytics collects
When analytics cookies are accepted, Google Analytics may collect:
- Pages visited and time spent on each page
- Referring website or search engine
- General geographic location (country / city level — not precise location)
- Device type, operating system and browser
- Whether you are a new or returning visitor
This data is aggregated and used solely to understand how visitors use UpThread so we can improve the product. It is not used to identify you personally. Google's full privacy policy is available at policies.google.com/privacy.
5. Managing your cookie preferences
You can change your preference at any time using the controls below. Declining analytics cookies will not affect your ability to use UpThread in any way.
You can also manage or delete cookies at any time through your browser settings. Note that deleting cookies will reset your preference and you may see the consent banner again on your next visit. For guidance, visit aboutcookies.org.
6. Data retention
Google Analytics retains aggregated session data for 26 months by default. You can request that any data associated with your visit be deleted by contacting us at the address below. Individual user-level data in Google Analytics is automatically deleted after 14 months.
7. Changes to this policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the cookies we use or applicable legal requirements. When we make material changes, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
8. Contact us
If you have any questions about how we use cookies or wish to exercise your rights under UK GDPR, please contact us:
- Company:UpThread UK
- Email: info@upthread.co.uk
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK's data protection regulator.