Cookie Policy

1. INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW

1.1 About This Cookie Policy

This Cookie Policy ("Policy") explains how Dental Implants Local, a company registered in England and Wales ("Company", "we", "us", "our"), uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on our dental implant directory platform ("Platform") accessible at dentalimplantsdirectory.co.uk and related services ("Services").

This Policy should be read in conjunction with our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, which provide additional information about our data processing practices and your rights regarding personal information.

1.2 Scope and Application

This Policy applies to:

• All Platform Users: Dental practices, patients, website visitors, and registered account holders
• All Platforms: Main website, mobile-optimized site, mobile applications (when available), and associated domains
• Global Operations: Users across our operating jurisdictions including United Kingdom, United States, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and Canada
• Third-Party Integration: Partner websites, embedded content, social media plugins, and integrated services

1.3 Legal Compliance Framework

Our cookie practices comply with applicable laws and regulations including:

• EU ePrivacy Directive (2002/58/EC) and ePrivacy Regulation requirements
• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and UK GDPR consent provisions
• California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) disclosure requirements
• Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) - Canada
• Privacy Act 1988 - Australia and Privacy Act 2020 - New Zealand
• Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) - South Africa
• State and provincial privacy laws requiring cookie disclosure and consent

2. WHAT ARE COOKIES AND SIMILAR TECHNOLOGIES

2.1 Cookie Definition and Function

Cookies are small text files stored on your device (computer, tablet, smartphone) when you visit websites. They contain information that websites can read when you return, enabling:

• User Recognition: Remembering your identity, preferences, and previous interactions
• Session Management: Maintaining login status, shopping cart contents, and form data
• Personalization: Customizing content, language settings, and user interface preferences
• Analytics: Measuring website performance, user behavior, and service effectiveness
• Security: Protecting against fraud, unauthorized access, and malicious activities

2.2 Types of Cookies by Duration

2.2.1 Session Cookies

• Temporary Storage: Exist only during your browser session and are deleted when you close your browser
• Functionality: Enable basic website features, maintain login status, preserve form data
• Security: Provide session-based security measures, prevent unauthorized access
• Examples: Authentication tokens, shopping cart contents, page navigation state

2.2.2 Persistent Cookies

• Extended Storage: Remain on your device for predetermined periods or until manually deleted
• Purpose: Remember user preferences, enable automatic login, track long-term behavior
• Duration: Range from days to years depending on specific function and legal requirements
• Examples: Language preferences, login credentials, advertising identifiers, analytics data

2.3 Types of Cookies by Origin

2.3.1 First-Party Cookies

• Direct Placement: Set directly by our Platform domain
• Control: Under our direct management and control
• Purpose: Essential functionality, user preferences, basic analytics, security measures
• Data Access: Information accessible only to our Platform systems

2.3.2 Third-Party Cookies

• External Placement: Set by domains other than our Platform
• Providers: Analytics services, advertising networks, social media platforms, payment processors
• Integration: Enable advanced features, marketing capabilities, external service functionality
• Data Sharing: Information potentially accessible to external service providers

2.4 Similar Tracking Technologies

2.4.1 Local Storage Technologies

• HTML5 Local Storage: Browser-based storage for larger data amounts, persistent across sessions
• Session Storage: Temporary storage cleared when browser tab closes
• IndexedDB: Database storage for complex application data
• Application Cache: Offline functionality and performance optimization

2.4.2 Other Tracking Methods

• Web Beacons (Pixel Tags): Invisible images tracking email opens, page views, user interactions
• Flash Cookies (LSOs): Adobe Flash-based storage with different deletion requirements
• Device Fingerprinting: Collection of device characteristics for identification purposes
• ETags: HTTP headers used for cache validation and potential tracking

3. COOKIES WE USE AND THEIR PURPOSES

3.1 Essential Cookies (Always Active)

These cookies are strictly necessary for Platform operation and cannot be disabled:

3.1.1 Authentication and Security

• Cookie Name: `session_token`, `auth_state`, `csrf_token`
• Purpose: User login management, session security, Cross-Site Request Forgery protection
• Duration: Session-based, expired on logout or browser closure
• Data Stored: Encrypted authentication tokens, session identifiers, security keys
• Legal Basis: Legitimate interest for service provision and security

3.1.2 Platform Functionality

• Cookie Name: `user_preferences`, `language_setting`, `accessibility_options`
• Purpose: Interface customization, language selection, accessibility accommodations
• Duration: 1 year or until user changes preferences
• Data Stored: Language codes, display preferences, accessibility settings
• Legal Basis: Legitimate interest for service customization

3.1.3 Load Balancing and Performance

• Cookie Name: `server_route`, `load_balance`
• Purpose: Technical infrastructure management, optimal server routing
• Duration: Session-based
• Data Stored: Server identifiers, routing information
• Legal Basis: Legitimate interest for technical service provision

3.2 Analytics and Performance Cookies (Consent Required)

These cookies help us understand Platform usage and improve user experience:

3.2.1 Google Analytics

• Cookie Names: `_ga`, `_gid`, `_gat`, `_ga_[CONTAINER-ID]`
• Purpose: Website traffic analysis, user behavior tracking, performance measurement
• Duration: 2 years for `_ga`, 24 hours for `_gid`, 1 minute for `_gat`
• Data Collected: Page views, session duration, bounce rate, geographic location, device information
• Data Processing: Google Analytics processes data according to Google's privacy policy
• Control: Users can opt-out via Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
• Legal Basis: User consent

4. COOKIE CONSENT MANAGEMENT

4.1 Consent Collection and Management

Upon first visit, users encounter a cookie consent banner providing:

• Clear Information: Cookie category explanations, purpose descriptions, third-party involvement
• Granular Choices: Separate consent options for different cookie categories
• Easy Access: Direct links to full Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and preference management
• Consent Options: Accept all, reject non-essential, or customize preferences
• Legal Compliance: Meeting consent requirements across all operating jurisdictions

5. THIRD-PARTY COOKIE PROVIDERS

We work with various third-party services that may set cookies on your device when you use our Platform. These services help us provide enhanced functionality, analyze usage patterns, and optimize our marketing efforts.

6. YOUR COOKIE CHOICES AND RIGHTS

You have several options to control or limit how we and our partners use cookies:

• Cookie Preference Center: Use our on-site cookie settings panel to customize your preferences
• Browser Controls: Set your browser to refuse all or some cookies, or to alert you when websites set or access cookies
• Device Settings: Change privacy settings on your mobile device to limit ad tracking
• Opt-Out Tools: Use industry opt-out pages like www.aboutads.info, www.youronlinechoices.eu, or www.networkadvertising.org

7. COOKIE POLICY UPDATES

We may update this Cookie Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, technologies we use, or legal requirements. Material changes will be communicated through:

• Website notices at least 30 days before implementation
• Email notifications to registered users
• Updated "Last Modified" date at the top of this policy
• Renewed consent requests when required by law