Cookie Policy | Ark Platforms

Part I: Introduction & Use of Cookies

1. What are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer or mobile device by websites that you visit. They are widely used in order to make websites work, or work more efficiently, as well as to provide information to the owners of the site. A cookie often contains a unique identifier, which is a number that is stored on your device. Some cookies expire at the end of your website session; others remain on your computer for longer. At Ark Platforms, we believe in being clear and open about how we collect and use data related to you. In the spirit of transparency, this policy provides detailed information about how and when we use cookies.

2. Why do we use Cookies?

We use cookies and other technologies to ensure everyone who uses our platform has the best possible experience. Cookies also help us keep your account safe. By continuing to visit or use our services, you are agreeing to the use of cookies and similar technologies for the purposes we describe in this policy. We use them for several core reasons: to help you sign in, to remember your preferences (such as language), to understand how guests use our site so we can improve it, and to help us provide you with the most relevant information based on your interests.

3. Consent and Legal Basis

Under the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) and the UK GDPR, we require your consent to use non-essential cookies. When you first visit our website, you will be presented with a cookie banner that allows you to accept all cookies, reject all non-essential cookies, or manage your preferences. Essential cookies, which are strictly necessary for the technical operation of our site, do not require your consent and are deployed automatically to ensure the security and basic functionality of the platform.

Part II: Categories of Cookies We Use

4. Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are essential for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in, or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information and are fundamental to providing you with the secure environment required to manage your Ark Platforms account.

5. Performance & Analytical Cookies

These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance to ensure a smooth, lag-free experience for our user community.

6. Functional Cookies

Functional cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalization. They may be set by us or by third-party providers whose services we have added to our pages (such as video players or complex interactive charts). If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly. These cookies remember your choices to give you a more tailored experience, such as your preferred region or font size, ensuring coherence across multiple browsing sessions.

7. Targeting & Marketing Cookies

These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising. At Ark Platforms, we use these very sparingly and prioritize your privacy over promotional distribution.

Part III: Managing Your Preferences

8. Using Browser Settings

Most web browsers allow some control of most cookies through the browser settings. To find out more about cookies, including how to see what cookies have been set, visit www.aboutcookies.org or www.allaboutcookies.org. You can configure your browser to reject all cookies or to notify you when a cookie is set. Each browser is different, so check the "Help" menu of your browser to learn how to change your cookie preferences. Please note that disabling cookies may impact the functionality of many websites, including ours.

9. Opting Out of Targeted Advertising

Many advertising companies allow you to opt out of targeted advertising. If you would like to find out more information about this, please visit www.networkadvertising.org/choices or www.youronlinechoices.com. While this will not stop you from seeing all advertisements, it will ensure that the ads you see are not targeted based on your browsing history on our site or others.

10. Our Cookie Management Tool

We provide an integrated cookie management tool that allows you to change your consent status at any time. You can find the link to manage your cookie settings in the footer of our website. This tool gives you granular control over the different categories of cookies mentioned in Part II, allowing you to fine-tune your privacy profile without needing to navigate complex browser menus.

Part IV: Third-Party Technologies & Security

11. Third-Party Cookies

Some of our pages use third-party services which may set their own cookies. We do not have direct control over these cookies, and they are governed by the third party's own privacy and cookie policies. We encourage you to review the policies of these providers (such as Google Analytics for behavior tracking or Stripe for payment security) to understand how they use cookies to deliver their specialized services within our ecosystem.

12. Web Beacons & Pixel Tags

In addition to cookies, we may use other tracking technologies like web beacons (small graphic files) or pixel tags. These technologies help us understand how users interact with our email communications or specific landing pages. They are used to improve our communication strategy and ensure that we are not sending you content that is irrelevant to your needs. Like cookies, you can often disable these through your email client or browser settings.

13. Security & Integrity

Cookies play a vital role in our security architecture. For example, we use authentication cookies to verify that it is really you who is accessing your account. We also use cookies to prevent fraudulent use of login credentials and to protect user data from unauthorized parties. The integrity of these technical measures is paramount to maintaining the trust you place in Ark Platforms.

Part V: Compliance & Continuous Improvement

14. Policy Updates

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the cookies we use or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. Please revisit this policy regularly to stay informed about our use of cookies and related technologies. The date at the top of this page indicates when the policy was last updated, and any material changes will be communicated through our primary digital channels.

15. Contact Information

If you have any questions about our use of cookies or other technologies, please email us at hello@arkplatforms.com. Our dedicated data protection team is available to provide you with further details on how we protect your digital footprint. We are committed to ensuring your experience with Ark Platforms is both high-performing and privacy-respecting.

16. Final Statement

By continuing to use our platform, you acknowledge that you have been informed about our use of cookies as described in this detailed policy. We thank you for choosing Ark Platforms and for trusting us with your data. We will continue to innovate while keeping your privacy at the center of everything we do.