Cookie Policy

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small files placed on your device when you visit a website. They help a site remember information about your visit, such as whether you are logged in, whether you have accepted or rejected cookies, or how the site should work for you.

We may also use similar technologies such as local storage, pixels, tags, scripts and device identifiers. In this Policy, when we refer to "cookies", we also mean these similar technologies where appropriate.

2. How We Use Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies to operate the website, keep accounts secure, support bidding and checkout, remember preferences, understand performance and, where enabled, measure advertising or analytics activity.

Some cookies are essential and are needed for the site to work. Others are optional and should only be used where you have given consent or where a legal exemption applies.

3. Types of Cookies We Use

3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are required for the website to function properly. They do not require consent because the site cannot operate securely or correctly without them.

• Keeping you logged in and maintaining your session.
• Protecting forms, accounts and bidding activity.
• Remembering your cookie choices.
• Supporting checkout, payment security and fraud prevention.
• Helping detect bots, abuse or suspicious activity.
• Maintaining website security, load balancing and reliability.

3.2 Preference Cookies

These remember basic choices you make, such as cookie settings or site preferences. Some preference cookies may be treated as essential where they are needed to remember your privacy choice.

3.3 Analytics and Performance Cookies

These help us understand how people use the website, which pages are visited, whether pages load correctly, and where users may be experiencing problems. We may use tools such as Vercel Analytics, Google Analytics or similar services where enabled.

Where required by law, we will ask for your consent before using non-essential analytics cookies or similar technologies.

3.4 Advertising and Measurement Cookies

If we use advertising services such as Google Ads, Google Tag Manager or similar platforms, they may use cookies or similar technologies to measure campaign performance, understand conversions, limit repeated ads or show relevant advertising.

These cookies are not essential. Where required, they should only be used after you have given consent.

3.5 Payment, Security and Fraud-Prevention Cookies

Payment providers such as Stripe may use cookies or similar technologies to process payments securely, prevent fraud, detect suspicious activity and support checkout. Some of these technologies may be necessary for payment security.

4. Examples of Cookies & Similar Technologies

The exact cookies used may change over time depending on our providers, security settings and website features. Examples may include:

• Appwrite authentication/session technologies used to keep users logged in and secure account access.
• Local storage or cookies used to remember your cookie consent choice.
• Stripe cookies or scripts used for secure checkout, saved payment methods, fraud checks and payment processing.
• Vercel cookies or analytics tools used for hosting, performance and website measurement where enabled.
• Google Analytics, Google Ads or Google Tag Manager cookies or tags used for analytics, conversion measurement or advertising where enabled.
• Cloudflare Turnstile, CAPTCHA, bot-detection or similar security technologies used to reduce spam, abuse and automated attacks where enabled.

5. Consent & Managing Your Cookies

When you first visit AuctionMyPlate, we may show a cookie banner or consent tool. This allows you to make choices about optional cookies where required.

We do not treat simply continuing to browse the website as consent to non-essential cookies. Consent should involve a clear positive action, such as clicking an accept button or choosing cookie preferences.

You can also control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:

• Delete existing cookies from your device.
• Block all cookies or certain categories of cookies.
• Set rules for specific websites.
• Receive a warning before cookies are stored.

If you block or delete strictly necessary cookies, some parts of the website may not work properly. For example, you may not be able to stay logged in, place bids, list plates, use payment features, or complete purchases.

For third-party analytics or advertising cookies, you may also be able to manage settings directly with the relevant provider, such as Google, in addition to your browser controls.

6. Third-Party Services

We may use third-party services that place cookies or similar technologies on your device, or that receive information generated by cookies. These providers may include:

• Appwrite: authentication, database, file storage and account/session functionality.
• Stripe: payment processing, saved payment methods, checkout security and fraud prevention.
• Vercel: hosting, performance, deployment, website analytics and reliability tools where enabled.
• Google services: Google Analytics, Google Ads, Google Tag Manager or similar services where enabled.
• Security tools: CAPTCHA, bot-detection, monitoring or anti-abuse services such as Cloudflare Turnstile where enabled.

These third parties may process data under their own privacy and cookie policies. We aim to use reputable providers and appropriate safeguards where required.

7. Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in law, technology, our providers or how AuctionMyPlate operates. When we do, we will update the Effective Date at the top of this page. If changes are significant, we may also show a notice on the website or through your account.

8. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Cookie Policy or how we use cookies and similar technologies, contact us at support@auctionmyplate.co.uk.