Legal
Cookie Policy
This Cookie Policy explains how Aether Systems Ltd uses cookies and similar storage and access technologies on aethersystems.uk. It should be read alongside our Privacy Policy.
1. What are cookies and similar technologies
A “cookie” is a small text file that a website places on your device when you visit it. The same regulatory framework applies to functionally similar technologies, including pixels, web beacons, local storage, session storage, and tracking scripts. The UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) refers to these collectively as “storage and access technologies.”
2. Our approach
We take a minimal approach. We do not set first-party tracking, analytics, or advertising cookies. We do not use third-party analytics services such as Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, Hotjar, or LinkedIn Insight Tag. We do not run remarketing or behavioural advertising.
The only third-party storage we permit is the optional Google Maps embed on our Contact page, which is loaded only after you explicitly consent via the cookie banner or the “Load interactive map” button.
3. Cookies and storage we use
3.1 Strictly necessary (no consent required)
We do not currently set first-party cookies for session management. If our infrastructure does so in future (for example to harden against form abuse), they will be listed here and limited to the strict technical operation of the service.
| Name | Set by | Purpose | Lifetime |
|---|---|---|---|
aether-cookie-consent | aethersystems.uk (localStorage, not a cookie) | Stores your cookie-consent choices so we do not re-prompt you on every page. Strictly necessary to honour your consent decision. | 12 months |
3.2 Functional — Google Maps embed (consent required)
If you accept the “Functional” category in the cookie banner, or click “Load interactive map” on the Contact page, we load an embedded interactive Google map. Google then sets the following cookies on your device and receives your IP address, browser headers, and the page you are viewing:
| Name | Domain | Purpose | Lifetime |
|---|---|---|---|
NID | .google.com | Google preferences and personalisation, including remembering map view preferences. | 6 months |
SOCS | .google.com | Stores your Google service consent state. | 13 months |
__Secure-ENID | .google.com | Used by Google to prevent fraud and improve service performance. | 13 months |
CONSENT | .google.com | Tracks your Google consent state across services. | 2 years |
Google may set additional cookies. For the authoritative and current list, see Google’s cookie disclosures. Google is the controller of the cookies it sets and processes that data in accordance with its own privacy policy.
3.3 Analytics — not used
We do not use analytics cookies. Aggregate visit information is taken from our server logs only (see Privacy Policy § 2.2) and is not linked to individuals.
3.4 Marketing and advertising — not used
We do not use marketing, retargeting, or advertising cookies. We do not embed any advertising or social-media tracking scripts.
4. Your choices
When you first visit the site, our cookie banner offers three equally prominent options:
- Accept all — turns on all categories listed above.
- Reject all — only strictly necessary storage is used. No third-party content is loaded.
- Customise — per-category toggles, all off by default in line with the ICO’s position that consent must be a positive opt-in.
Your choice is recorded in your browser’s localStorage with a timestamp. You can change or withdraw your consent at any time via the Cookie Settings link in the footer of every page. Withdrawal is as easy as the original consent and does not affect the lawfulness of processing before withdrawal.
5. Browser-level controls
You can also block or delete cookies through your browser settings. Note that blocking strictly necessary storage may prevent the cookie banner from remembering your choice on subsequent visits.
6. Changes to this policy
If we introduce new storage or access technologies, we will update this page and prompt for fresh consent where consent is required. The “Last updated” date above will change accordingly.
7. Questions
Write to info@aethersystems.uk.