Cookie Policy

1. About this Cookie Policy

This Cookie Policy explains how UTILITY PRICE CHECK LTD (“Utility Price Check”, “we”, “us” or “our”) uses cookies and similar technologies when you visit:

utilitypricecheck.com

It explains:

• what cookies are
• why we use them
• the different categories of cookies and similar technologies that may be used
• when your consent is required
• when cookies may be used without consent
• how third-party technologies may operate
• how long cookies may remain on your device
• how you can manage or withdraw your choices

This Cookie Policy should be read together with our Privacy Notice, which explains more generally how we use personal information.

2. About us

The website is operated by:

UTILITY PRICE CHECK LTD Company number: SC898389

Registered office: Office 598, Unit LGE 18 Young Street Edinburgh United Kingdom EH2 4JB

ICO registration number: ZC223947 ADR membership reference: E3608 Website: utilitypricecheck.com Telephone: 0333 054 0678 Email: sales@utilitypricecheck.com

3. What are cookies?

Cookies are small pieces of information that a website may store on a computer, mobile phone, tablet or other device when someone visits or interacts with an online service.

Cookies can perform different functions.

For example, they can be used to:

• make a website operate correctly
• maintain security
• remember choices
• keep a user logged in
• remember cookie preferences
• understand how a website is being used
• measure website performance
• personalise functionality
• measure advertising
• support online advertising and remarketing

Not all cookies identify an individual directly.

However, information collected through cookies or similar technologies can in some circumstances constitute personal information, particularly when combined with other identifiers or information.

4. Cookies and similar technologies

The rules described in this Policy are not limited to traditional browser cookies.

Our website may also use or interact with technologies such as:

• pixels
• tags
• scripts
• local storage
• session storage
• software development technologies
• tracking links
• device identifiers
• embedded content technologies
• other technologies that store information on, or access information from, a user’s device

We refer to these collectively in this Policy as “cookies and similar technologies”.

5. The laws governing our use of cookies

Our use of cookies and similar technologies is governed principally by applicable UK privacy and electronic communications legislation, including:

• the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 (“PECR”), as amended
• the UK General Data Protection Regulation (“UK GDPR”)
• the Data Protection Act 2018
• amendments introduced by the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (“DUAA”)

Where the use of cookies involves personal information, applicable UK data protection requirements also apply.

6. When we require your consent

Where no applicable legal exception applies, we will obtain your consent before placing or using non-essential cookies or similar technologies on your device.

This may include technologies used for:

• advertising
• remarketing
• behavioural targeting
• cross-site tracking
• cross-device tracking
• advertising measurement
• conversion tracking
• profiling
• personalised advertising
• certain forms of analytics

Where consent is required, these technologies should not be activated until you have made a positive choice to allow them.

Simply continuing to browse our website is not treated by us as consent to non-essential cookies.

7. Cookies that may be used without consent

UK law permits certain cookies and similar technologies to be used without prior consent where the applicable legal requirements are satisfied.

These can include technologies used for purposes such as:

• transmitting electronic communications
• providing functionality that is strictly necessary for a service requested by the user
• security
• fraud prevention
• authentication
• recording certain user selections
• limited statistical analysis
• certain website appearance or functionality preferences
• other purposes specifically permitted by law

The availability of an exemption depends on the purpose and operation of the technology, not simply the name given to a cookie.

8. Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookies are used where they are essential for our website or a service you have requested to function correctly.

They may be used for purposes including:

• website security
• fraud prevention
• session management
• load balancing
• authentication
• protecting forms from abuse
• maintaining essential website functionality
• remembering your cookie choices

Because these technologies are necessary to provide the requested service or perform essential functionality, they may not require consent under PECR.

You may be able to block them through your browser, but doing so may cause parts of the website to stop working correctly.

9. Cookie preference cookies

When you choose whether to accept, reject or customise cookies, we may store a cookie or similar record of your preference.

This is necessary so that we do not need to ask you to make the same choice on every page you visit.

A preference cookie may record information such as:

• that you have interacted with the cookie banner
• which categories you have permitted
• which categories you have rejected
• the date of your selection
• a consent or preference identifier

It should not be used for unrelated advertising or tracking purposes.

10. Analytics and statistical technologies

We may use analytics to understand how visitors use our website.

This can include information such as:

• number of website visits
• pages viewed
• approximate time spent on pages
• how visitors navigate through the website
• browser and device types
• general website performance
• how visitors reached our website
• page-loading performance
• bounce or exit information
• aggregated geographical information

Where analytics are configured solely to produce statistical information about the use of our website for the purpose of improving it, and all legal conditions for the statistical purposes exemption are met, we may be permitted to use those technologies without prior consent.

Where we rely on this exemption:

• the purpose must be limited to statistical analysis for improving the website or service
• the resulting information must be appropriately aggregated
• the technology must not be used to track or profile identifiable users for unrelated purposes
• information must not be used for advertising purposes
• you must be given a simple and free way to object

Where our analytics use goes beyond those requirements, we will obtain consent before activating the relevant technologies.

11. Advertising and marketing cookies

If we use advertising, remarketing or marketing technologies on our website, these may be used to:

• understand whether advertising led someone to visit our website
• measure campaign performance
• measure conversions
• create advertising audiences
• limit how often advertisements are shown
• display advertisements on other platforms
• create remarketing audiences
• associate website activity with advertising campaigns
• personalise advertising

Advertising and tracking cookies will not be treated as Strictly Necessary Cookies.

Where consent is legally required, these technologies will only be activated after you have consented through our cookie management system.

Rejecting advertising cookies will not prevent you from using the core functions of our website.

12. Social media technologies

Our website may contain links to or functionality connected with social media platforms.

Depending on how these features are implemented, third-party social media providers may use cookies, pixels, scripts or other technologies.

Where social media technology tracks users, monitors behaviour, supports advertising or enables cross-site tracking, it will normally be treated as a non-essential technology and will not be activated before the required consent has been obtained.

A normal external link to a social media website does not necessarily mean that the social media provider can place cookies through our website before you click the link.

13. Embedded content

Our website may display content provided by another organisation, such as:

• video
• maps
• forms
• reviews
• chat functionality
• booking tools
• calculators
• other interactive content

External providers may use cookies or similar technologies when their content is loaded.

Where those technologies require consent, we may:

• prevent the content from loading until consent is provided
• use a privacy-enhanced configuration
• ask for consent when you choose to interact with the content
• provide an external link instead

We aim to configure third-party content in a privacy-conscious manner where suitable controls are available.

14. Functional and preference technologies

Some technologies may be used to improve how the website appears or functions according to choices you make.

Examples may include remembering:

• preferred language
• accessibility preferences
• display options
• interface settings
• similar website preferences

In certain circumstances UK law permits such technologies to operate without prior consent where the statutory appearance or functionality exception applies.

Where we rely on that exception, we will provide appropriate information and a simple way for users to object as required by law.

If a technology is also used for another purpose, such as advertising or profiling, we will consider the requirements applicable to that additional purpose separately.

15. First-party and third-party cookies

Cookies can be described as either first-party or third-party.

First-party cookies

These are generally set by or on behalf of the website you are visiting.

They may be used for functions such as:

• security
• website operation
• remembering user preferences
• website analytics

Third-party cookies and technologies

These may be set or controlled by another organisation whose technology is incorporated into our website.

Depending on the services we use, third parties may provide functions such as:

• analytics
• hosting
• advertising
• video
• social media
• maps
• live chat
• security
• form processing
• other website services

Where a third party receives personal information for its own purposes, its own privacy information may also apply.

16. Our current cookie list

Because the technologies operating on a website may change when services are added, removed or updated, the most accurate current information about individual cookies should be displayed through our Cookie Settings or consent management system.

Where applicable, the cookie information provided there will identify matters such as:

• cookie or technology name
• provider
• purpose
• category
• whether it is first-party or third-party
• duration or expiry period

The Cookie Settings information forms part of this Cookie Policy.

We periodically review our website to ensure that the information in our Cookie Settings reflects the technologies actually in use.

17. Cookie duration

Cookies may be either session cookies or persistent cookies.

Session cookies

These generally remain active only while your browser session is open and are normally removed when the browser is closed.

Persistent cookies

These may remain on your device for a defined period after you leave the website.

Different persistent cookies may have different expiry periods depending on their purpose.

We aim not to retain cookies or information derived from them for longer than is reasonably necessary for the purpose for which they are used.

Specific durations, where applicable, should be available through our Cookie Settings.

18. Our cookie banner

Where consent is required, our cookie banner or preference centre should provide you with clear choices.

Depending on the technologies used on our website, these may include:

Accept All

to permit non-essential cookies covered by the consent request.

Reject All

to reject non-essential cookies requiring consent.

Customise / Cookie Settings

to make more detailed choices about particular purposes or categories.

Strictly Necessary technologies may remain active because they are required for essential functionality and do not rely on consent where the applicable exemption is satisfied.

19. Equal choice

We aim to make refusing non-essential cookies as straightforward as accepting them.

Our cookie interface should not be designed to:

• imply that acceptance is mandatory when it is not
• hide the rejection option
• activate optional cookies before a choice is made
• treat inactivity as consent
• use pre-selected consent options for technologies that require opt-in consent

20. Managing individual categories

Where appropriate, our Cookie Settings may allow choices between categories such as:

• Strictly Necessary
• Analytics / Statistics
• Functional
• Marketing / Advertising
• other relevant categories

Where consent is required, optional categories should remain disabled until you choose to activate them.

Where a particular technology lawfully operates under a statutory exception rather than consent, we will provide the controls required by that exception.

21. Withdrawing your consent

Where processing relies on your consent, you may withdraw that consent at any time.

You should be able to reopen our Cookie Settings and change your preferences.

Withdrawing consent will not make earlier processing unlawful where valid consent existed at the time.

Once consent is withdrawn, technologies relying on that consent should no longer be used for the relevant purpose.

Where technically possible and required, relevant stored information may also be removed.

22. Objecting to exempt analytics or preference technologies

Where we rely on the statistical purposes or appearance/functionality exemptions introduced into PECR, you have a right to be provided with a simple and free means of objecting to that use.

Where applicable, this may be provided through our Cookie Settings.

If you object, we will cease the relevant storage or access covered by that objection.

23. Browser controls

Most internet browsers allow you to manage cookies through browser settings.

Depending on the browser, you may be able to:

• view cookies
• delete cookies
• block all cookies
• block third-party cookies
• restrict cookies from particular websites
• configure how cookies are handled

Browser controls are separate from the choices available through our own Cookie Settings.

Blocking all cookies at browser level may affect the operation of websites, including parts of utilitypricecheck.com.

24. Do Not Track and similar browser signals

Browser-based privacy signals and technologies continue to develop.

We will consider legally recognised and technically supported privacy preference mechanisms where applicable.

However, browser settings alone should not be assumed to constitute consent to technologies that legally require a positive opt-in unless applicable legal requirements are satisfied.

25. Personal information collected through cookies

Information obtained through cookies may in some circumstances include:

• IP address
• device information
• browser information
• session identifiers
• cookie identifiers
• website usage
• pages viewed
• approximate location
• referring website
• interaction information
• advertising identifiers

Where information can identify an individual directly or indirectly, we will handle it as personal information in accordance with applicable data protection law and our Privacy Notice.

26. Our legal basis under UK GDPR

Where information obtained through cookies constitutes personal information, we must also identify an appropriate lawful basis under UK GDPR.

Depending on the particular processing, this may include:

Consent

Where you have chosen to allow optional technologies and consent is relied upon for the related processing.

Legitimate interests

In appropriate circumstances, for limited processing necessary for purposes such as protecting our website, understanding security risks or operating and improving our services, provided applicable data protection requirements are satisfied.

Legal obligation

Where processing is necessary to comply with a legal requirement.

The availability of a UK GDPR lawful basis does not automatically remove a separate requirement to obtain consent under PECR.

27. Information sharing

Depending on the technologies actually used on our website, information may be processed by organisations providing services such as:

• website hosting
• cybersecurity
• analytics
• advertising
• CRM integration
• communications
• website forms
• social media
• video
• mapping
• live chat
• technical support

Where a third-party service requires consent, the relevant technology will only be activated where the necessary consent has been obtained.

Further information about the categories of organisations with whom we may share personal information is available in our Privacy Notice.

28. International transfers

Some technology providers may process information outside the United Kingdom.

Where personal information is transferred internationally, we will address applicable UK data protection requirements concerning international transfers.

Further information about international data transfers and the safeguards we may use is available in our Privacy Notice.

29. Security

We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect information collected through our website.

These may include:

• encrypted website connections
• access restrictions
• password controls
• multi-factor authentication where appropriate
• security monitoring
• system updates
• secure hosting
• controls over third-party service providers

No internet-based system can be guaranteed to be completely secure, but we seek to use measures proportionate to the nature of the information and associated risk.

30. Changes to our use of cookies

The technologies used on our website may change over time.

For example, we may:

• introduce a new analytics service
• replace a technology provider
• add new website functionality
• stop using a marketing platform
• change the purpose for which a technology is used
• change how a cookie is configured

Where a change requires fresh consent, we will seek that consent before using the technology for the new purpose.

We will also update our Cookie Settings and this Policy where appropriate.

31. Changes to this Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect:

• changes to our website
• changes in technology
• changes to our service providers
• changes to privacy law
• regulatory guidance
• changes in the way we use cookies

The latest version will be published on our website.

The revision date will be displayed at the top of the Policy.

32. Your data protection rights

Where cookies or similar technologies involve personal information, you may have rights under UK data protection law.

Depending on the circumstances, these may include rights relating to:

• access
• rectification
• erasure
• restriction
• objection
• data portability
• withdrawal of consent
• certain automated processing

Further information about these rights is available in our Privacy Notice.

33. Questions and complaints

If you have questions about our use of cookies, privacy technologies or personal information, please contact:

UTILITY PRICE CHECK LTD Email: sales@utilitypricecheck.com Telephone: 0333 054 0678 Website: utilitypricecheck.com

You may also raise concerns with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK’s data protection regulator.

Further information is available from the ICO.

34. Cookie Settings

You can review or change your cookie preferences at any time by selecting:

Cookie Settings

on our website.

Where the website uses technologies covered by a statutory right to object rather than consent, the same preference centre may also be used to exercise that objection where available.

UTILITY PRICE CHECK LTD Company number: SC898389 ICO registration number: ZC223947 ADR membership reference: E3608