1. Introduction
This Cookie Policy explains how Lokaly (a trading name of Eelavan Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales, with registered address at 86-90 Paul Street, London, EC2A 4NE, United Kingdom) uses cookies and similar technologies on our website (lokaly.co.uk), mobile application, and merchant portal (collectively, the "Platform").
This policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy, which explains how we collect and use personal data.
When you first visit our Platform, you will be asked to make a choice about cookies via our consent banner. We will not place non-essential cookies on your device until you have made your choice. You can manage your cookie preferences at any time using our cookie consent tool or your browser settings.
2. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit a website or use an application. Cookies are widely used to make websites and applications work more efficiently, to provide a better user experience, and to provide information to the owners of the site or application.
Cookies allow us to recognise your device and store information about your preferences or past actions. Some cookies are essential for the Platform to function properly, whilst others help us improve our services or enable us to provide you with a more personalised experience.
2.1 Types of Cookies by Duration
- Session cookies: These are temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser. They enable essential functions like navigating between pages and maintaining your logged-in status during a single visit.
- Persistent cookies: These cookies remain on your device for a set period (which varies by cookie) or until you delete them. They help us remember your preferences and settings for future visits.
2.2 Types of Cookies by Source
- First-party cookies: These are set by Lokaly directly and can only be read by our Platform.
- Third-party cookies: These are set by external services we use (such as analytics providers) and can be read by those third parties.
3. Similar Technologies
In addition to cookies, we may use other similar technologies to collect and store information. These include:
- Web beacons (pixel tags): Small graphic images embedded in web pages or emails that allow us to track whether you have viewed content or opened an email.
- Local storage: Technology that allows websites to store data locally on your device, similar to cookies but with greater storage capacity.
- Software development kits (SDKs): Code embedded in our mobile application that performs similar functions to cookies on websites.
References to "cookies" in this policy include these similar technologies unless otherwise stated.
4. Legal Basis for Using Cookies
Our use of cookies is governed by the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR) and the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR).
Under PECR, we are required to obtain your consent before placing cookies on your device, except where cookies are:
- Strictly necessary for the provision of a service you have requested (e.g., remembering items in your basket, maintaining your login session); or
- Essential for communication over an electronic communications network.
Where cookies process personal data, we must also have a lawful basis under the UK GDPR. We rely on consent for analytics and marketing cookies, and legitimate interests or contract performance for strictly necessary cookies.
5. How We Use Cookies
We use cookies for the following purposes:
5.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for the Platform to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually set in response to actions you take, such as logging in, setting your privacy preferences, or completing forms. Without these cookies, some parts of the Platform would not work.
Examples of strictly necessary cookies include:
- User authentication and session management
- Remembering your cookie consent preferences
- Security features (e.g., CSRF protection)
- Load balancing to ensure Platform availability
Consent required: No (exempt under PECR)
5.2 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 have added to our Platform.
Examples of functional cookies include:
- Remembering your language or region preferences
- Remembering display settings or accessibility options
- Personalising content based on your past interactions
- Enabling chat support functionality
Consent required: Yes
5.3 Analytics and Performance Cookies
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our Platform by collecting and reporting information anonymously. This helps us improve the Platform's performance and user experience.
Examples of analytics cookies include:
- Counting visitors and page views
- Understanding how users navigate the Platform
- Identifying which pages are most and least popular
- Detecting errors and improving Platform stability
- Measuring the effectiveness of our content
Consent required: Yes
5.4 Marketing and Advertising Cookies
These cookies may be set through our Platform by our advertising partners. They may be used to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant advertisements on other websites. They do not directly store personal information but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and device.
Examples of marketing cookies include:
- Tracking visits across websites to deliver targeted advertising
- Measuring the effectiveness of advertising campaigns
- Limiting the number of times you see an advertisement
- Retargeting users who have previously visited our Platform
Consent required: Yes
6. Cookies We Use
The following tables provide details of the specific cookies used on our Platform. Please note that cookie names and details may change from time to time. We will endeavour to keep this information up to date.
6.1 Strictly Necessary Local Storage
This website does not require any login or authentication, so we do not use session cookies or authentication tokens. The only strictly necessary storage is for recording your cookie consent preferences:
| Name | Type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| lokaly_cookie_consent | Local Storage | Records whether you have made a cookie consent choice | Persistent |
| lokaly_cookie_preferences | Local Storage | Stores your specific cookie category preferences | Persistent |
| lokaly_consent_record | Local Storage | Records when you gave or updated your cookie consent, including timestamp and preferences (for compliance auditing) | Persistent |
6.2 Functional Local Storage
| Name | Type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| theme | Local Storage | Remembers your light/dark mode display preference | Persistent |
6.3 Analytics and Performance Cookies
We do not currently use any analytics or performance cookies on our Platform. If we decide to implement analytics in the future (such as Google Analytics), we will update this policy and request your consent before placing any such cookies on your device.
6.4 Marketing and Advertising Cookies
We do not currently use any marketing or advertising cookies on our Platform. If we decide to implement marketing tracking in the future (such as Facebook Pixel or Google Ads), we will update this policy and request your consent before placing any such cookies on your device.
7. Third-Party Services
We currently do not use any third-party analytics or advertising services that set cookies on our Platform. However, we do use certain third-party services for essential functionality:
- Stripe – for secure payment processing. Stripe may set strictly necessary cookies for fraud prevention. See Stripe's privacy policy at stripe.com/gb/privacy
If we add additional third-party services in the future that set non-essential cookies (such as analytics or advertising), we will update this policy and request your consent before enabling them.
8. Mobile Application
Our mobile application uses similar technologies to cookies, including software development kits (SDKs) and device identifiers, for the same purposes described above.
In our mobile application, we may collect:
- Device identifiers (e.g., advertising ID, device ID)
- App usage data and interaction analytics
- Push notification tokens
- Crash reports and performance data
You can manage app permissions and reset your advertising identifier through your device settings. On iOS, you can also enable "Limit Ad Tracking" or "Ask App Not to Track". On Android, you can opt out of personalised advertising in your Google settings.
9. Managing Your Cookie Preferences
9.1 Our Cookie Consent Tool
When you first visit our Platform, you will see a cookie banner that allows you to accept or reject different categories of cookies. You can change your preferences at any time by clicking the "Cookie Settings" or "Manage Cookies" link in the footer of our website.
Please note that if you reject certain cookies, some features of our Platform may not function properly.
9.2 Browser Settings
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can usually find these settings in the "Options" or "Preferences" menu of your browser. The following links may help you understand these settings:
- Google Chrome: support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647
- Mozilla Firefox: support.mozilla.org
- Microsoft Edge: support.microsoft.com
- Apple Safari: support.apple.com
Please be aware that restricting cookies may impact the functionality of our Platform.
9.3 Industry Opt-Out Tools
Although we do not currently use analytics or advertising cookies, if you wish to manage third-party cookies from other websites, you can use these industry tools:
- Your Online Choices: Manage advertising cookies from multiple providers at youronlinechoices.com
- Network Advertising Initiative: Opt out at optout.networkadvertising.org
10. "Do Not Track" Signals
Some browsers include a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature that signals to websites that you do not want your online activity tracked. There is currently no universally accepted standard for how companies should respond to DNT signals.
At present, our Platform does not respond to DNT signals. However, you can manage your cookie preferences through the methods described in Section 9 above.
11. Data Retention
The information collected through cookies is retained for varying periods depending on the type of cookie and its purpose. Session cookies are deleted when you close your browser. Persistent cookies remain on your device for the duration specified in the cookie tables above, or until you delete them.
For more information about how we retain personal data generally, please see our Privacy Policy.
12. Changes to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technologies, legal requirements, or for other operational reasons.
When we make changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy. For material changes, we may also notify you by posting a prominent notice on our Platform or by sending you an email (if we have your contact details).
We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about our use of cookies.
13. Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns about this Cookie Policy or our use of cookies, please contact us:
Eelavan Ltd (trading as Lokaly)
86-90 Paul Street
London, EC2A 4NE
United Kingdom
Email: privacy@lokaly.co.uk
Website: lokaly.co.uk
14. Information Commissioner's Office
If you have concerns about how we use cookies or handle your data, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK's supervisory authority for data protection:
Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire, SK9 5AF
Telephone: 0303 123 1113
Website: ico.org.uk