Cookie Policy (UK)

This policy explains the cookie choices and browser storage used by the Michael Swales website.

Necessary functionality

We store your analytics choice in your browser's local storage under ms_analytics_consent. The record contains a version number, your choice and when you made it. It contains no name, email address or enquiry details.

Your choice lasts for 180 days from when you make it. Returning to the website does not extend that period. If the record is missing, invalid or expired, analytics stays off and we ask again. If your browser prevents storage, your choice may only apply to the current page.

When you begin using the enquiry form, Cloudflare Turnstile provides a security check to help prevent automated submissions. It may process technical information for that check. It is separate from Google Analytics and is not enabled by accepting analytics.

Optional Google Analytics

Google Analytics loads only after you choose Accept analytics. It helps us understand which public pages are visited and whether visitors use contact links or successfully send an enquiry. The form's contents and contact details are not sent to Google Analytics.

Google Analytics may place first-party cookies named _ga and _ga_? to distinguish visits and sessions. This website configures a 180-day cookie lifetime without extending it on each visit. Cookie lifetimes and the retention of reports in Google Analytics are different settings.

Our analytics code does not send page query strings, fragments, raw contact-link destinations, names, email addresses, telephone numbers or enquiry text. Public page paths can indicate the subject you are reading about; please consider this when choosing whether to accept analytics.

We do not add advertising, remarketing, Google Ads conversion tracking or Microsoft Clarity through this system.

Accepting, rejecting and changing your choice

Accept analytics and Reject analytics are available in the cookie panel. Necessary functionality does not have an optional toggle. Rejecting analytics does not prevent you from reading the website or using the enquiry form.

You can reopen the panel using Cookie settings in the footer, or the button below. There you can accept analytics or withdraw an earlier choice by selecting Reject analytics.

On withdrawal, we stop analytics collection, disable the loaded Google tag and clear accessible Google Analytics cookies where possible. The page may reload to remove the analytics runtime. Withdrawal does not delete reports already collected by Google.

Browser controls

Your browser also lets you manage cookies and site storage. Removing the stored consent choice means we will ask again; analytics remains off until you accept.

Further information and contact

Read Google's Privacy Policy and Cloudflare's Privacy Policy for information about those services.

For questions about this website's use of cookies or analytics, contact Michael Swales at info@michaelswales.com.