COOKIE POLICY
Last updated: 6 September 2025
This Cookie Policy explains how StudyPlans (“StudyPlans”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) uses cookies and similar technologies when you visit StudyPlans.co.uk or use our related apps and services (“Services”). Because children may use our Services, we apply high-privacy defaults and follow UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, and the ICO Age-Appropriate Design Code (Children’s Code).
If you have questions about this policy, contact: contact@studyplans.co.uk
WHAT ARE COOKIES AND SIMILAR TECHNOLOGIES
Cookies are small text files placed on your device by a website. They can be session cookies (deleted when you close your browser) or persistent cookies (kept until they expire or you delete them). We may also use comparable technologies such as local storage, SDKs (in apps), pixels, and tags.
WHY WE USE THEM
We use cookies and similar technologies to:
• operate core features (sign-in, security, load balancing);
• remember choices (language, accessibility, cookie preferences);
• measure usage and improve reliability and performance;
• protect users—especially children—by detecting abuse and ensuring appropriate experiences.
We do not use behavioural advertising cookies on child accounts.
LEGAL BASIS
• Strictly necessary cookies: our legitimate interests in delivering a secure, functional service.
• All other cookies (e.g., analytics, functional enhancements): your consent via our cookie banner/preferences. You can withdraw consent at any time (see Section 7).
COOKIE CATEGORIES WE USE
A. Strictly Necessary
Required for core functionality and security (e.g., authentication, fraud prevention, load balancing, consent storage). These cannot be switched off.
B. Functional/Preferences
Remember settings such as language, accessibility, or interface options. If declined, some preferences may not be saved.
C. Performance/Analytics
Help us understand how the Services are used (e.g., pages visited, error rates) so we can improve stability and features. For child users, we apply privacy safeguards (e.g., aggregation, IP truncation, shorter retention).
D. Security/Abuse Prevention
Support detection and prevention of misuse, spam, or harmful behaviour. May overlap with “Strictly Necessary”.
E. Advertising/Tracking
We do not use advertising cookies or cross-site tracking for child users. If we ever use such cookies for adult users, we will ask for explicit consent and provide granular controls.
FIRST-PARTY COOKIES AND STORAGE
We set first-party cookies and/or use local storage for the purposes described above. Names and durations vary by product environment and may change over time. We maintain an up-to-date inventory (name, purpose, category, and lifespan) in the in-product “Cookie Settings”, which you can review at any time.
THIRD-PARTY COOKIES AND TECHNOLOGIES
Some cookies or similar technologies may be set by third parties that provide services to us (e.g., content delivery and security, error monitoring/performance, privacy-preserving analytics, payment processing). We restrict third-party tools to what is necessary and require appropriate safeguards, especially for child users.
Because providers and configurations can change, the current list of third-party technologies (including provider, purpose, category, and lifespan) is shown in “Cookie Settings” within our site/app.
YOUR CHOICES: CONSENT, WITHDRAWAL, AND BROWSER CONTROLS
• Cookie banner and preferences: On your first visit, you can accept or reject non-essential categories. You can change your choices at any time in “Cookie Settings” (link in the footer or app settings).
• Withdraw consent: Toggle categories off in “Cookie Settings”; changes take effect going forward.
• Browser controls: Most browsers let you block or delete cookies. See your browser’s help pages or resources such as www.allaboutcookies.org.
• Impact of disabling: Blocking strictly necessary cookies may prevent parts of the Services (e.g., log-in) from working properly.
GLOBAL PRIVACY CONTROLS / DO-NOT-TRACK
There is currently no single UK standard for DNT. Where technically feasible, if your browser sends a Global Privacy Control (GPC) signal, we treat it as an opt-out of non-essential cookies for that browser. Essential cookies will still run.
CHILDREN AND COOKIES
• High-privacy by default for child accounts (under 13 requires verified parental consent to use our Services).
• Non-essential cookies are off unless consent is provided where required by a parent/guardian (or by a school with appropriate authority).
• No behavioural advertising cookies on child accounts.
• We minimise data, shorten retention, and use privacy-preserving analytics for child users.
RETENTION
• Session cookies expire when you close your browser.
• Persistent cookies last for a defined period shown in “Cookie Settings” and then expire automatically.
• We periodically review our use and retention consistent with our Privacy Notice and the Children’s Code.
CHANGES TO THIS POLICY
We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect changes in technology, regulation, or our practices. Updates will appear here with a new “Last updated” date. If changes are material, we will provide reasonable notice (e.g., an in-product message).
CONTACT
Questions about cookies or your choices: contact@studyplans.co.uk
