Cookie Policy

This page explains how RuckLine uses cookies and similar technologies. It sits alongside the privacy policy and should be read together with it. The policy is written to comply with the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations and the UK General Data Protection Regulation.

What a cookie is

A cookie is a small text file placed on a reader’s device by the browser at the request of a website. Similar technologies — local storage, session storage and tracking pixels — can perform a comparable function. Cookies allow a site to recognise a returning visit, remember preferences and gather aggregate information about how the site is used. This policy uses the term “cookie” to cover all of these technologies unless otherwise specified.

Categories of cookie used

RuckLine uses cookies in three broad categories. The categorisation follows the standard distinctions drawn by the Information Commissioner’s Office.

Strictly necessary cookies support core functionality and are set without consent under the ePrivacy Regulations. These cookies are used to remember whether the cookie banner has been dismissed, to preserve security tokens that protect form submissions and to support core layout decisions such as the dark or light mode selected by the reader.

Performance and analytics cookies measure how the site is used in aggregate. These cookies record which articles are read, how long a typical visit lasts and which pages are most often the entry point. The data is processed in aggregated form. These cookies are set only after the reader gives explicit consent through the cookie banner. Declining analytics cookies does not affect access to any editorial content.

Functional cookies remember non-essential preferences such as the table-of-contents collapse state or the preferred odds-format display. These cookies are set only with consent and can be removed at any time through the browser’s cookie controls.

Third-party cookies

The site loads web fonts from Google Fonts. The font request itself does not set a tracking cookie in the modern Google Fonts implementation, but the loading process exposes the requesting IP address to Google’s servers. No advertising network cookies, no behavioural retargeting cookies and no affiliate tracking cookies are set on this site.

How to control cookies

Readers control cookies through three layers. The cookie banner presented on the first visit allows acceptance or rejection of non-essential cookies, with the choice remembered for a period stated on the banner. Browser settings allow the reader to delete cookies already stored, block cookies from specific sites or block all third-party cookies. Withdrawal of consent for analytics or functional cookies can be made at any time by clearing site cookies through the browser and revisiting the site to receive a fresh banner.

Retention

Strictly necessary cookies expire either at the end of the browser session or after a maximum of twelve months, depending on the cookie. Analytics cookies have a retention period of up to twenty-six months from the most recent visit. Functional cookies expire after twelve months unless renewed by continued site use.

Changes to this policy

Cookies in use may change as the site evolves. Material changes to this policy will be noted at the top of the page with a revision date. Continued use of the site after a revision indicates acceptance of the updated terms. For questions about a specific cookie, the privacy and legal notice pages list the channels available for written enquiry.