Cookie Policy
Last Updated: 30 September 2024
This Cookie Policy explains how IB Doctor Limited ("we", "us", or "our") uses cookies and similar technologies when you visit our website at www.ibdoctor.co.uk (the "Website"). It explains what these technologies are, why we use them, and your rights to control our use of them.
This policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy, which explains how we collect and process your personal data.
1. About Us
For the purposes of the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR), and the Data Protection Act 2018, the data controller is:
- Company Name: IB Doctor Limited
- Company Number: 13923605
- Registered Office: 27 Old Gloucester Street, London, England, WC1N 3AX
- Email: hello@ibdoctor.co.uk
- Phone: +44 7418 608857
2. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently, provide a better user experience, and give website owners information about how their site is being used.
Cookies can be "persistent" (remaining on your device until they expire or you delete them) or "session" cookies (deleted when you close your browser). They can be "first-party" cookies (set by the website you're visiting) or "third-party" cookies (set by other companies whose services appear on the website).
3. How We Use Cookies
We use cookies for the following purposes:
- Essential website operation: To enable core functionality such as security, network management, and account access.
- Performance and analytics: To understand how visitors use our website, which pages are most popular, and to improve our services.
- Functionality: To remember your preferences and settings to provide a more personalised experience.
- Payment processing: To enable secure payment transactions through our payment provider.
- Tutoring sessions: To facilitate online tutoring sessions through our tutoring platform provider.
4. Types of Cookies We Use
4.1. Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for the website to function and cannot be switched off. They are usually only set in response to actions you take, such as logging in, filling in forms, or setting your privacy preferences. You can set your browser to block these cookies, but some parts of the website may not work as a result.
Legal basis: These cookies do not require consent under PECR as they are strictly necessary for the service you have requested.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| session_id | IB Doctor | Maintains user session state | Session |
| csrf_token | IB Doctor | Security token to prevent cross-site request forgery | Session |
| cookie_consent | IB Doctor | Stores your cookie preferences | 1 year |
4.2. Analytics Cookies
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our website. They help us understand which pages are most and least popular and how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous.
Legal basis: These cookies require your consent. You can opt out at any time.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| _ga | Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique users | 2 years |
| _ga_* | Google Analytics | Maintains session state | 2 years |
| _gid | Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique users | 24 hours |
| _gat | Google Analytics | Throttles request rate | 1 minute |
4.3. Functional Cookies
These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalisation, such as remembering your preferences and settings. They may be set by us or by third-party providers whose services we use.
Legal basis: These cookies require your consent unless they are strictly necessary for a service you have requested.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| user_preferences | IB Doctor | Stores user preferences (e.g., timezone, language) | 1 year |
| theme | IB Doctor | Remembers light/dark mode preference | 1 year |
4.4. Third-Party Service Cookies
We use trusted third-party services that may set their own cookies when you use our website. These include:
| Provider | Purpose | Privacy Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Stripe | Secure payment processing | stripe.com/privacy |
| Lessonspace | Online tutoring session platform | thelessonspace.com/privacy |
| Google Analytics | Website usage analytics | policies.google.com/privacy |
5. Your Consent
When you first visit our website, you will be shown a cookie banner asking for your consent to use non-essential cookies. You can choose to accept all cookies, reject non-essential cookies, or customise your preferences.
Strictly necessary cookies do not require consent as they are essential for the website to function. However, analytics and functional cookies will only be placed with your explicit consent.
You can change your cookie preferences at any time by:
- Clicking the cookie settings link in our website footer
- Adjusting your browser settings (see Section 6 below)
- Contacting us at hello@ibdoctor.co.uk
6. Managing Cookies Through Your Browser
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can typically:
- View cookies stored on your device
- Delete all or specific cookies
- Block all cookies or cookies from specific websites
- Block third-party cookies
- Accept all cookies
- Be notified when a cookie is set
Please note that blocking or deleting cookies may affect your experience on our website and prevent certain features from working properly.
For more information on how to manage cookies in popular browsers, visit:
7. Google Analytics Opt-Out
If you wish to prevent Google Analytics from collecting data about your visits, you can:
- Decline analytics cookies when prompted by our cookie banner
- Install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
- Adjust your Google Ads settings at adssettings.google.com
8. Changes to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, legislation, our business operations, or for other reasons. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
If we make significant changes that affect how we use cookies, we will notify you through a cookie banner or other prominent notice on our website.
9. Your Rights
Under the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018, you have rights in relation to your personal data, including the right to:
- Access the personal data we hold about you
- Request correction of inaccurate data
- Request deletion of your data
- Object to or restrict processing
- Withdraw consent at any time
For more information about your rights, please see our Privacy Policy.
10. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy or our use of cookies, please contact us:
11. Complaints
If you are not satisfied with our response to any complaint about our use of cookies, or believe our processing does not comply with data protection law, you can make a complaint to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO):
By continuing to use our website after being presented with our cookie banner, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Cookie Policy. For strictly necessary cookies, your continued use constitutes acceptance. For other cookies, we will only place them with your explicit consent.