Cookie Policy

This Cookie Policy explains how Sovereign Data Systems (“we”, “our”, or “us”) uses cookies and similar tracking technologies when you visit our website at www.sovdatasys.com. It explains what these technologies are, why we use them, and your rights to control our use of them.

In accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the UK GDPR, and the ePrivacy Directive, we require your explicit, informed consent for all cookies except those that are strictly necessary to operate the website.

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files containing a string of characters that are placed on your computer, smartphone, or other device when you visit a website. They are widely used by website owners to make their websites work, operate more efficiently, and provide analytical information.

• First-Party Cookies: Set directly by us (Sovereign Data Systems) to make our website function smoothly.

• Third-Party Cookies: Set by domains other than ours (such as Google Analytics or infrastructure security services) to enable features like tracking, analytics, or interactive content.

• Session Cookies: Temporary cookies that expire and are automatically deleted when you close your web browser.

• Persistent Cookies: Remain on your device for a set period or until you manually delete them. They help us recognise you when you return to our site.

2. How We Use Cookies

We use cookies for a few distinct purposes. To remain fully transparent, we break these down into three core categories:

A. Strictly Necessary Cookies (Always Active)

These cookies are critical for the core functionality and technical security of our website. Without them, the website cannot perform basic functions like page navigation, access to secure areas, or remembering your privacy choices.

• Lawful Basis: Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(f) GDPR).

• Consent: Not legally required. You can set your browser to block these cookies, but parts of the site will stop functioning.

B. Analytics and Performance Cookies (Optional)

These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously. They tell us which pages are visited most often, how long users stay, and if they encounter any error messages. This allows us to improve the layout, performance, and user experience of our site.

• Lawful Basis: Consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR).

• Consent: We will only drop these cookies if you explicitly click “Accept” or toggle them “On” via our cookie consent banner.

C. Functional Cookies (Optional)

These cookies enable our website to remember choices you make (such as your language preference or region) and provide enhanced, more personalized features.

• Lawful Basis: Consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR).

• Consent: Optional. Active only upon your explicit approval via our banner.

3. The Cookies We Set

The table below breaks down the specific cookies routinely deployed on our website:

Cookie Name	Provider / Source	Purpose	Type & Lifespan	Category
__cf_bm / _cfuvid	Cloudflare	Critical bot detection and network security. Prevents malicious traffic.	Persistent (30 mins to 1 year)	Strictly Necessary
cookie_consent_status	Sovereign Data Systems	Remembers whether you accepted or declined our cookie categories.	Persistent (1 year)	Strictly Necessary
_ga	Google Analytics	Calculates visitor, session, and campaign data to monitor site performance.	Persistent (2 years)	Analytics
_ga_*	Google Analytics	Maintained by Google to persist and track unique session states.	Persistent (1 year)	Analytics

4. How You Can Control Cookies

You have the complete legal right to decide whether to accept or reject optional cookies.

Our Cookie Consent Banner

When you first visit our website, a cookie banner will appear asking for your preferences.

• Essential cookies will load automatically to keep the site functional and secure.

• Analytics or functional cookies will remain blocked until you explicitly choose to accept them.

• You can change your mind and adjust these settings at any time by clicking the “Cookie Settings” tab located in our website footer.

Managing Cookies via Your Browser

Most web browsers allow you to control, block, or delete cookies through their built-in setting panels. If you choose to reject all cookies, you may still use our website, though your access to certain functionalities and areas may be restricted.

To learn how to manage cookies on the most popular browsers, visit the following links:

• Google Chrome

• Apple Safari

• Microsoft Edge

• Mozilla Firefox

5. Third-Party Tracking and IP Anonymization

Where we use third-party analytics providers like Google Analytics, we have configured the software to implement strict IP anonymisation. This means your full IP address is altered and truncated before it is stored or processed by the third party, ensuring that your tracking data cannot be easily mapped directly back to you.

6. More Information and Contact

For more general information on how we handle your personal data, data retention periods, and how to exercise your legal rights under the GDPR, please refer directly to our comprehensive Privacy Policy.

If you have any further questions regarding our use of cookies or other tracking technologies, please don’t hesitate to reach out:

Sovereign Data Systems

Email: info@sovdatasys.com

Website: www.sovdatasys.com