Cookie Policy

Effective Date: 21 May 2026 | Last Updated: 22 October 2026 | Version: v1.3

Introduction

This policy explains how the Empowr CIC websites use cookies and similar technologies: our main website (empowrcic.org), Empowr Members (members.empowrcic.org) and EELA (eela.empowrcic.org).

The short version: on our main website we use privacy-first, cookie-free analytics and nothing is stored on your device. On Empowr Members and EELA we ask for your choice before using analytics cookies, and Members uses essential cookies to keep you signed in.

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They are used for a range of purposes — from keeping you logged in to tracking your behaviour across sites.

Not all cookies are the same. They are generally grouped into:

• Essential cookies — strictly necessary for the website to work
• Analytics cookies — used to understand how visitors use the site
• Marketing cookies — used to show targeted advertising

2. Cookies We Use

Essential Technical Cookies

Our main website (empowrcic.org) is a static site hosted on Netlify. It does not use login systems, shopping carts, or session management. As a result, we do not set any first-party cookies on it ourselves.

Netlify, our hosting provider, may set a small number of technical cookies as part of its infrastructure (for example, to manage traffic and security). These are strictly operational and do not track individual users.

Analytics Cookies

On our main website (empowrcic.org), we use PostHog analytics, configured in cookieless server hash mode.

PostHog does not set cookies or use local storage on your device. Instead, it computes a temporary, non-reversible daily hash derived from your IP address and browser type to distinguish visits — the hash is deleted every 24 hours and cannot be used to identify you.

Our legal basis for this is legitimate interest — the same basis used by privacy-focused analytics tools such as Plausible and Fathom. You can read more about PostHog's approach at posthog.com/docs/privacy.

Marketing and Advertising Cookies

We do not use any marketing or advertising cookies.

We do not run retargeting campaigns or serve personalised advertising through our website.

Empowr Members and EELA

members.empowrcic.org and eela.empowrcic.org ask for your choice before using analytics cookies. If you accept, PostHog stores an identifier in your browser so it can recognise your return visits. If you decline, analytics runs without storing anything on your device. Your choice is saved in your browser, and you can change it by clearing this site's data in your browser settings.

Empowr Members also uses essential cookies to keep you signed in to your account, and saves your booking basket in your browser until you check out. These are needed for the site to work and do not require consent.

Payments are processed by Stripe. When you pay, Stripe may set its own cookies to process your payment securely and prevent fraud; these are covered by Stripe's own cookie policy.

3. Third-Party Services

Our website contains links to external services (such as Empowr Heroes at hero.empowrcic.org and our social media profiles). When you follow those links, you leave our website and the cookie policies of those external services apply.

We are not responsible for the cookie practices of external websites.

4. Managing Cookies

On our main website, our analytics tool does not read or write anything to your device, so no cookie banner is required under UK PECR. On Empowr Members and EELA, the banner asks for your choice before any analytics cookie is set. You remain in full control through your browser settings.

You can still control cookies through your browser settings at any time:

Google Chrome: Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies and other site data

Safari: Preferences → Privacy

Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security

Microsoft Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions

Blocking all cookies is unlikely to affect your experience on our main website. On Empowr Members, blocking essential cookies will stop you from signing in.

5. Changes to This Policy

If our cookie use changes, we will update this policy and the "Last Updated" date above. Where consent is required by law, we will ask for it.

6. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this policy:

Email: legal@empowrcic.org

Empowr CIC Crown House, 27 Old Gloucester Street London, WC1N 3AX