Cookie Policy

This Cookie Policy explains what cookies and similar technologies are used on HoopMargin (“HoopMargin”), why we use them, and how UK readers can manage their preferences. It should be read alongside our Privacy Policy.

What cookies are

A cookie is a small text file that a website places on your device — desktop computer, tablet or smartphone — when you visit. Cookies allow the site to recognise your device on subsequent visits and to store small amounts of information about your interaction with the site. Cookies can be set by the website you are visiting (first-party cookies) or by other domains whose content is loaded into the page (third-party cookies). Other technologies such as web beacons, pixels and local storage perform similar functions and are covered by this policy.

In the United Kingdom, the use of cookies is governed primarily by the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR), read together with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). Strictly necessary cookies — those required to deliver the service you have requested — can be set without consent. All other cookies require your prior consent. We seek that consent through a cookie banner shown on your first visit and through cookie preferences accessible from the footer of the site.

Categories of cookies we use

Strictly necessary cookies

These cookies are essential to operate the site. They include cookies that remember your cookie preferences, manage security, and balance load on our servers. Without them, parts of the site may not function correctly. These cookies do not require consent because the site cannot reasonably be delivered without them. Typical retention is the duration of your browsing session or up to twelve months for preferences.

Performance and analytics cookies

These cookies, set only with your consent, collect information about how visitors use the site — which pages are read most often, where readers come from, how long they spend on each article, whether internal links are followed. The data is aggregated and used to improve editorial content and site performance. We anonymise IP addresses where supported by the analytics provider. Typical retention is between 13 and 26 months.

Functional cookies

These cookies, set only with your consent, allow the site to remember choices you have made — such as preferred display settings — and to provide enhanced features. Typical retention is up to twelve months.

Cookies we do not use

HoopMargin does not run an advertising network, does not set advertising or behavioural targeting cookies, and does not share data with advertising technology vendors. We do not embed social media tracking pixels. Editorial content on the site is not sponsored, and there are therefore no advertiser-set cookies.

Third-party cookies

Where we use a third-party analytics service, that service may set its own cookies on our behalf. Those cookies are governed by the third party’s own privacy and cookie policies. We choose providers that offer UK-appropriate privacy controls and that allow the site to function with cookies disabled.

On HoopMargin

You can change or withdraw consent at any time through the cookie preferences link in the site footer. Withdrawing consent will not affect the lawfulness of processing carried out before withdrawal. Strictly necessary cookies cannot be disabled through the preferences panel because the site relies on them to operate.

In your browser

All modern browsers allow you to view, manage and delete cookies, and to block cookies from specific sites. The exact steps vary by browser:

  • Google Chrome — Settings, Privacy and security, Cookies and other site data.
  • Mozilla Firefox — Settings, Privacy and Security, Cookies and Site Data.
  • Apple Safari — Preferences, Privacy, Manage Website Data.
  • Microsoft Edge — Settings, Cookies and site permissions, Manage and delete cookies.

Blocking all cookies, including strictly necessary cookies, may prevent parts of the site from functioning correctly.

On your device

Most mobile devices allow you to limit ad tracking and clear local storage through the operating system’s privacy settings. These options control cookies and similar technologies across all sites you visit.

Do Not Track signals

Some browsers send a “Do Not Track” signal. There is no industry-wide standard for how a site should respond to this signal. We respect the choices you record through our cookie preferences panel, which is the more granular and reliable mechanism.

Changes to this policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes to the cookies we use, to legal requirements, or to industry guidance. The date at the top of this page shows when it was last updated. Material changes will be communicated through the cookie banner on your next visit.

Further information

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the United Kingdom supervisory authority for data protection and PECR, publishes detailed guidance for the public on cookies and online tracking at ico.org.uk. If you have a complaint about our use of cookies that we have not resolved to your satisfaction, you have the right to escalate it to the ICO.