Cookie Policy

1. Introduction

This Cookie Policy explains how TipEmpower Ltd ("we," "our," or "us") uses cookies and similar technologies when you visit our website tip-empower.com ("Service"). It explains what these technologies are and why we use them, as well as your rights to control our use of them.

This policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy, which explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information.

2. What are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and to provide information to website owners.

2.1 Types of Cookies We Use

Session Cookies

These are temporary cookies that remain in your browser until you leave the website. They help us recognize you as you navigate between pages and remember information you have entered.

Persistent Cookies

These cookies remain on your device for a predetermined period (specified in the cookie) or until you delete them. They help us recognize you when you return to our website.

First-Party Cookies

These are set by our website directly and can only be read by our website.

Third-Party Cookies

These are set by third-party services that we use on our website, such as analytics providers or social media platforms.

3. Why We Use Cookies

We use cookies for several reasons:

3.1 Essential Website Functionality

• Remembering your cookie preferences
• Maintaining your session as you navigate the site
• Enabling secure login processes
• Preventing fraud and enhancing security

3.2 Performance and Analytics

• Understanding how visitors use our website
• Measuring website performance
• Identifying technical issues
• Improving user experience

3.3 Functionality

• Remembering your preferences and settings
• Providing enhanced features
• Personalizing content

3.4 Marketing and Advertising

• Showing relevant advertisements
• Measuring advertising effectiveness
• Retargeting website visitors

4. Categories of Cookies

4.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are essential for the website to function properly. They enable basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website. The website cannot function properly without these cookies.

4.2 Performance/Analytics Cookies

These cookies collect information about how visitors use our website, such as which pages visitors go to most often. All information is aggregated and anonymous.

4.3 Functional Cookies

These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make and provide enhanced, more personal features.

4.4 Marketing/Targeting Cookies

These cookies are used to deliver advertisements more relevant to you and your interests. They may be set by us or third-party providers whose services we have added to our pages.

5. Third-Party Services

We use several third-party services that may place cookies on your device:

5.1 Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics to understand how our website is used. Google Analytics collects information anonymously and reports website trends without identifying individual visitors.

You can opt out of Google Analytics by visiting: Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on

5.2 Social Media Platforms

Our website includes social media features from platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. These features may collect your IP address, which page you are visiting, and may set a cookie to enable the feature to function properly.

5.3 Customer Support Tools

We may use customer support tools that place cookies to improve your support experience and track support interactions.

5.4 Email Marketing Services

If you subscribe to our newsletter, we use email marketing services that may track your interactions with our emails through cookies and pixels.

6. Your Cookie Choices

6.1 Cookie Consent

When you first visit our website, you will see a cookie consent banner. You can choose to:

• Accept All: Allow all cookie categories
• Necessary Only: Allow only essential cookies
• Custom Settings: Choose specific cookie categories

6.2 Managing Cookie Preferences

You can change your cookie preferences at any time by:

• Clicking the "Cookie Settings" link in our website footer
• Using the cookie preference center when the banner appears
• Contacting us directly at [email protected]

6.3 Browser Settings

You can also control cookies through your browser settings:

Chrome

Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data

Firefox

Options > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data

Safari

Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data

Edge

Settings > Site permissions > Cookies and site data

Note: Blocking certain cookies may impact website functionality and your user experience.

7. Other Tracking Technologies

7.1 Web Beacons/Pixels

We may use web beacons (also known as pixels or clear GIFs) in our emails and on our website to track user interactions and measure the effectiveness of our communications.

7.2 Local Storage

We may use local storage technologies (such as HTML5 local storage) to store information locally on your device. This information is not automatically transmitted to us but may be accessed by our website when you visit.

7.3 Server Logs

Our web servers automatically collect certain information in server logs, including your IP address, browser type, pages visited, and access times.

8. Legal Basis for Processing

Under UK GDPR, our legal basis for processing personal data through cookies includes:

8.1 Legitimate Interests

For essential website functionality, security, and improving our services.

8.2 Consent

For non-essential cookies such as analytics, marketing, and functionality cookies.

8.3 Contractual Necessity

For cookies necessary to provide services you have requested.

9. International Transfers

Some of our third-party service providers are located outside the UK. When we transfer personal data internationally through cookies, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, including:

• Adequacy decisions
• Standard contractual clauses
• Binding corporate rules
• Certification schemes

10. Cookie Retention

Cookie retention periods vary depending on the type and purpose:

• Session cookies: Deleted when you close your browser
• Persistent cookies: Remain for the specified duration or until manually deleted
• Analytics cookies: Typically 26 months (Google Analytics default)
• Marketing cookies: Usually 30 days to 2 years depending on the provider

11. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or applicable laws. We will notify you of material changes by:

• Posting the updated policy on our website
• Updating the "Last updated" date
• Displaying a notice on our website
• Requesting renewed consent where required

12. Contact Us

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

Data Protection Officer

If you have concerns about how we handle your personal data, you can contact our Data Protection Officer at: [email protected]

Supervisory Authority

You have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO):

Website: ico.org.uk
Phone: 0303 123 1113

13. Your Rights

In relation to personal data collected through cookies, you have the following rights:

• Right to withdraw consent: You can withdraw your consent to cookie processing at any time
• Right of access: You can request information about how your data is processed
• Right to rectification: You can request correction of inaccurate data
• Right to erasure: You can request deletion of your data in certain circumstances
• Right to data portability: You can request your data in a structured format
• Right to object: You can object to processing based on legitimate interests