Cookie Policy

1. Who this policy covers

This Cookie Policy applies to visitors and instructing professionals using BusinessInterruptionExpert.com (the "Site"). It should be read together with our Privacy Policy.

2. What we mean by "cookies"

We use the word "cookies" to include HTTP cookies, HTML local storage, session storage, and similar technologies that store or read information on your device. Some are strictly necessary for security or core functionality; others are optional and require your consent under UK / EEA ePrivacy rules before they are activated.

3. How you control optional cookies

On your first visit, the Site presents a consent layer with Accept all, Reject non-essential, and Customise preferences. Your choice is stored locally (typically localStorage) with an expiry window so we can remember your decision without asking on every page view. You can reopen the preferences panel anytime via Cookie settings in the site footer.

4. Categories we use

• Necessary - always on. Used for security, load delivery, fraud prevention, and to remember your consent state. These are not used for cross-site advertising.
• Analytics - optional. Helps us understand aggregate traffic and page performance (for example Google Analytics or Hotjar when those IDs are configured in our environment).
• Marketing - optional. May include professional advertising or social measurement pixels (for example Meta or LinkedIn Insight) when configured.
• Preferences - optional. Reserved for first-party interface preferences if we add them in future releases.

5. Google Analytics & Consent Mode

When NEXT_PUBLIC_GA_MEASUREMENT_ID is set and you consent to Analytics, we load Google's gtag library. We configure Google Consent Mode v2 so that optional signals (for example analytics_storage) remain denied until you opt in, then update immediately when you change preferences in the panel.

6. Google Tag Manager (optional)

If NEXT_PUBLIC_GTM_ID is set, the container may load when you consent to Analytics or Marketing (depending on how the container is configured). Treat GTM as a configuration layer: tags inside GTM must still respect the same consent categories.

7. Meta, LinkedIn, Hotjar (optional)

Meta Pixel and LinkedIn Insight tags load only when Marketing is accepted and the relevant environment variables are present. Hotjar loads only when Analytics is accepted and NEXT_PUBLIC_HOTJAR_ID is set. If variables are blank in a deployment, those technologies simply do not load.

8. Retention of your consent record

Consent records stored in the browser include a timestamp and expiry (default twelve months). When the record expires, the banner may reappear so you can refresh your preferences. You can also clear Site data in your browser settings at any time.

9. California residents (CCPA-style)

We provide a shortcut in the preferences panel to disable Analytics and Marketing signals commonly associated with "sale" or "sharing" under US state privacy laws. This is not legal advice; confirm your obligations with counsel if you are assessing US compliance programmes.

10. Contact

Questions about this policy or your choices: info@businessinterruptionexpert.com or via our contact form.