1. About this Cookie Policy

This Cookie Policy explains how The Self Depreciating Sofa (“we”, “us”, “our”) uses cookies and similar technologies on our website:

https://www.selfdepreciatingsofa.com/

The Self Depreciating Sofa is based in Leicestershire, England, United Kingdom.

If you have questions about this Cookie Policy or how we use cookies and similar technologies, please contact:

Email: selfdepreciatingsofa@gmail.com

This Cookie Policy should be read together with our Privacy Policy, which explains in more detail how we collect, use and protect personal information.

 

2. What are cookies?

Cookies are small text files or similar pieces of information that can be stored on your computer, smartphone, tablet or other device when you visit a website.

Cookies can allow a website to:

• remember information about you;

• remember your preferences;

• keep the website functioning;

• understand how visitors use the website;

• measure website performance;

• improve website functionality;

• measure advertising;

• recognise returning visitors; or

• provide relevant advertising.

Cookies are not the only technology covered by applicable privacy laws.

UK privacy rules can also apply to technologies such as:

• tracking pixels;

• web beacons;

• scripts;

• tags;

• local storage;

• device identifiers;

• advertising identifiers;

• link tracking;

• fingerprinting; and

• other technologies that store or access information on your device.

The ICO's current guidance refers to these collectively as storage and access technologies. IICO

 

3. Why do we use cookies?

We use cookies and similar technologies for several purposes.

These include:

• keeping our website working;

• maintaining website security;

• remembering preferences;

• understanding website usage;

• analysing website performance;

• measuring advertising;

• supporting advertising campaigns;

• understanding how visitors interact with advertisements;

• providing our Instagram feed;

• improving our website; and

• providing functionality requested by visitors.

Different cookies have different purposes.

 

4. Types of cookies we use

The technologies used on our website can generally be divided into the following categories:

4.1 Strictly necessary cookies

These cookies are necessary for the website to function properly or to provide a service you have specifically requested.

They may be used for purposes such as:

• website security;

• maintaining website functionality;

• network management;

• remembering essential settings;

• preventing abuse;

• authentication or account functionality where applicable; and

• other functions that are necessary for the operation of the website.

Where an applicable legal exemption applies, strictly necessary technologies may be used without consent.

We will still provide information about them where appropriate.

The ICO recognises an exception for storage/access technologies that are strictly necessary to provide an online service requested by the user, subject to the specific legal requirements. IICO

 

5. Functional and preference technologies

Functional technologies may allow the website to remember choices or settings and provide enhanced functionality.

Depending on the features enabled on our website, these may include technologies that remember:

• language preferences;

• display preferences;

• consent choices;

• functionality preferences; or

• other settings.

Where a functional technology is not strictly necessary and applicable law requires consent, we will ask for consent before using it.

 

6. Analytics cookies

We use analytics technologies, including Google Analytics, to understand how visitors use our website.

Analytics technologies may help us understand:

• how many people visit our website;

• which pages are visited;

• which content is most popular;

• how visitors arrive at our website;

• how long visitors spend on pages;

• how visitors interact with the website;

• general geographical information;

• device and browser information; and

• website performance.

Where required by applicable law, analytics technologies will only be activated after the visitor has provided the appropriate consent.

 

7. Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics, provided by Google, for website analytics.

Google Analytics may use cookies and similar technologies to distinguish users and sessions and measure website activity.

Depending on the configuration and consent provided, information processed may include:

• device information;

• browser information;

• approximate location;

• pages viewed;

• interactions;

• session information;

• analytics identifiers; and

• information about how the website is used.

Google states that the _ga cookie is used to distinguish users and that other Analytics cookies may be used to maintain session and campaign information. GGoogle Help

Google states that, for users in the UK, EEA and Switzerland, Google Analytics does not log or store individual IP addresses, although it can use IP information to derive coarse geographical information before discarding the IP address. GGoogle Help

We will not intentionally configure Google Analytics to collect information that directly identifies you, such as your name or email address.

Where required, Google Analytics will only operate after the appropriate consent has been obtained.

 

8. Google Tag Manager

We use Google Tag Manager (GTM) to manage website tags.

Google Tag Manager itself is a tag-management system that allows us to deploy and manage website technologies from one location.

Tags managed through Google Tag Manager may include:

• analytics tags;

• advertising tags;

• conversion-measurement tags;

• marketing tags; and

• other website functionality.

The information collected through these tags depends on which tags are active on our website.

We configure our tags to respect applicable consent requirements.

Where required, analytics and advertising tags will not be permitted to operate until the appropriate consent has been provided.

Google provides consent-management functionality within Google Tag Manager, including consent initialisation and consent checks for tags. GGoogle Help+1

 

9. Google advertising technologies

We may use Google-related advertising and measurement technologies.

These may include technologies used to:

• measure advertising campaigns;

• measure conversions;

• understand interactions with advertisements;

• create or use advertising audiences;

• improve advertising performance; and

• provide relevant advertising.

Where these technologies involve storage or access to information on your device and consent is required, they will only be activated following the appropriate consent.

Google Consent Mode allows tags to adjust their behaviour according to the visitor's consent choices. GGoogle Help

 

10. Meta Pixel

We use the Meta Pixel, provided by Meta Platforms, Inc. and related entities, for advertising and measurement.

The Meta Pixel may be used to:

• measure advertising performance;

• measure conversions;

• understand website activity following advertisements;

• create or use advertising audiences;

• improve advertising campaigns; and

• understand how visitors interact with our website.

Depending on your consent choices and the configuration of our advertising services, information may include:

• IP address;

• browser information;

• device information;

• pages visited;

• website interactions;

• advertising identifiers;

• referral information; and

• information relating to advertisements you interacted with.

Where required by applicable law, Meta Pixel technologies will only be activated after appropriate consent has been obtained.

Meta may process information according to its own privacy policies and terms.

 

11. Advertising cookies and technologies

We use advertising and marketing technologies to promote The Self Depreciating Sofa and measure the effectiveness of advertising.

Advertising technologies may allow us or our advertising partners to:

• measure advertisements;

• understand which advertisements result in website visits;

• measure conversions;

• create advertising audiences;

• recognise interactions with advertising;

• limit repetitive advertisements; and

• provide or support relevant advertising.

Advertising technologies may include:

• cookies;

• pixels;

• tags;

• scripts;

• advertising identifiers; and

• similar technologies.

Because these technologies can involve tracking or storing/accessing information on your device, we will obtain consent where required by applicable law.

The ICO's current guidance confirms that PECR can apply to online advertising and technologies such as pixels, scripts and tags, not just traditional cookies. IICO+1

 

12. Instagram feed

Our website uses a Wix Instagram app/feed to display Instagram content.

The Instagram feed may involve communication between your browser and Instagram/Meta when content is loaded or interacted with.

Depending on how the integration operates, this may involve:

• IP address;

• browser information;

• device information;

• technical information;

• information about interactions with the feed;

• cookies; and

• similar technologies.

Instagram/Meta may process information according to its own privacy policy and terms.

Where applicable law requires consent before third-party technologies associated with the Instagram feed are activated, we will seek that consent through our cookie-consent mechanism.

 

13. Wix cookies

Our website is built and hosted using Wix.

Wix may use cookies and similar technologies for purposes including:

• website functionality;

• security;

• performance;

• platform operation;

• remembering visitor choices;

• website analytics;

• preventing abuse;

• maintaining sessions; and

• other website-related functions.

The exact Wix cookies used may depend on the features, applications and settings enabled on our website.

Wix states that website owners can use its Privacy Center to provide a cookie banner allowing visitors to accept or decline non-essential cookies. WWix Support

Wix also provides tools for website owners to review cookies used on their websites. WWix Support

 

14. Wix Email Marketing

Our newsletter and email subscriber functionality is provided through Wix.

Cookies used for the newsletter service may be different from cookies used by the website itself.

Your email address is not considered a cookie.

For information about how we collect, use and retain newsletter subscriber information, please see our Privacy Policy.

 

15. First-party and third-party cookies

Some cookies are set directly by our website or its infrastructure.

These are referred to as first-party cookies.

Other cookies or similar technologies may be set or accessed by third-party services.

These are referred to as third-party cookies.

Third-party services used on our website include, depending on your consent and the current configuration of the website:

• Wix;

• Google Analytics;

• Google Tag Manager;

• Google advertising services;

• Meta Pixel;

• Instagram/Meta; and

• other advertising or technology providers.

Third parties may process information according to their own privacy policies.

 

16. Cookie consent

Where applicable law requires consent, we will ask for consent before using non-essential cookies and similar technologies.

Our cookie controls may allow you to:

• accept all cookies;

• reject non-essential cookies;

• select specific categories; and

• change your preferences.

Consent should be a clear affirmative action.

The ICO states that consent for cookies and similar technologies must be actively and clearly given and that simply continuing to browse a website does not constitute valid consent. IICO

The ICO's April 2026 guidance also confirms that PECR applies to a broad range of storage and access technologies, including scripts, tags, pixels and web storage. IICO+1

 

17. Refusing or withdrawing cookie consent

You can refuse non-essential cookies through our cookie-consent mechanism.

Where our website provides a cookie-preference control, you can also change or withdraw your choices after your initial selection.

If you withdraw consent, this will not affect the lawfulness of processing that took place before you withdrew your consent.

Some website functionality may be affected if certain cookies are disabled.

Strictly necessary cookies cannot generally be disabled through the consent mechanism because they are required for the website or a service you have requested to function.

 

18. Google Consent Mode

Where applicable to our Google technologies, we may use Google's consent-management functionality to communicate visitor consent choices to Google.

Google Consent Mode allows Google tags to adjust their behaviour according to the visitor's consent status. GGoogle Help

Depending on the implementation, consent signals may include settings relating to:

• analytics storage;

• advertising storage;

• advertising-related user data; and

• advertising personalisation.

Google explains that consent mode interacts with a website's consent banner and does not itself provide the consent banner. GGoogle Help

Our cookie banner and Google tag configuration should therefore be treated as separate but connected components.

 

19. What happens if you reject analytics cookies?

If you reject analytics cookies, we will not use non-essential analytics cookies on your device where our consent system is functioning as configured.

This may mean that we have less information about how visitors use our website.

Google provides consent-mode functionality that can adjust Google tag behaviour according to a user's consent choice. GGoogle Help

 

20. What happens if you reject advertising cookies?

If you reject advertising/marketing cookies and similar technologies, the relevant non-essential advertising technologies should not be activated through our consent-controlled configuration.

You may still see advertisements elsewhere on the internet, but they may be less relevant to you.

Rejecting advertising cookies does not necessarily prevent you from seeing advertising generally.

 

21. How long do cookies last?

Cookies may be:

Session cookies

These are generally deleted when you close your browser.

Persistent cookies

These remain on your device for a defined period or until they are deleted.

The precise duration of each cookie depends on the service that sets it.

Because Wix, Google, Meta and other third-party services may change their cookies and technologies, the exact cookie list and durations may change over time.

We periodically review our cookie configuration.

 

22. Cookie categories and examples

The following table provides a general explanation of the technologies used on our website.

CategoryExamples of technologies/providersPurposeConsent where required?

NecessaryWixWebsite operation, security and essential functionalityNo, where strictly necessary

FunctionalWixPreferences and enhanced functionalityYes, where required

AnalyticsGoogle AnalyticsWebsite measurement and visitor statisticsYes

Tag managementGoogle Tag ManagerManaging website tagsDepends on the tags/implementation

AdvertisingGoogle advertising technologiesAdvertising and measurementYes

AdvertisingMeta PixelAdvertising, audience and conversion measurementYes

Social mediaInstagram/MetaInstagram feed and social functionalityYes, where required

MarketingWixNewsletter/email marketing functionalityDepends on the technology and legal requirements

This table describes categories and principal services rather than guaranteeing that every named cookie is set on every visit.

 

23. Exact cookies used on the website

The exact cookies and storage technologies used on our website can change depending on:

• Wix features enabled;

• applications installed;

• Google Analytics settings;

• Google Tag Manager tags;

• advertising settings;

• Meta configuration;

• Instagram functionality;

• your consent choices; and

• changes made by third-party providers.

We therefore recommend using the cookie-preference tool provided on our website as the most current way to review and manage available cookie categories.

We periodically review the technologies used on the website and update this Cookie Policy where appropriate.

 

24. Personal information and cookies

Some cookies and similar technologies may process information that constitutes personal data under applicable data-protection laws.

Where this happens, the processing is also subject to our Privacy Policy and applicable data-protection law.

Our Privacy Policy explains:

• what personal information we collect;

• why we collect it;

• our lawful bases;

• who receives it;

• international transfers;

• retention;

• your rights; and

• how to contact us.

 

25. International processing

Some third-party providers used by our website may process information outside the United Kingdom and/or European Economic Area.

These providers may include Wix, Google and Meta.

Where applicable law restricts international transfers, we will use appropriate legal safeguards.

For more information, please see our Privacy Policy.

 

26. Children's privacy

Our website is not intentionally designed to collect personal information from children.

We do not knowingly use cookies or similar technologies for the purpose of unlawfully collecting personal information from children.

If you believe that a child has provided personal information to us, please contact:

selfdepreciatingsofa@gmail.com

 

27. Your privacy rights

Depending on where you live and which laws apply, you may have rights concerning personal information collected through cookies and similar technologies.

These may include rights to:

• access information;

• request correction;

• request deletion;

• object to processing;

• restrict processing;

• withdraw consent;

• opt out of certain advertising;

• opt out of certain data sharing; and

• exercise other rights provided by applicable privacy laws.

For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

 

28. Browser controls

Most modern web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings.

You may be able to:

• block cookies;

• delete cookies;

• block third-party cookies;

• receive warnings before cookies are stored; or

• delete stored website data.

Blocking all cookies may affect the operation of some websites.

Browser controls do not necessarily provide the same level of granular choice as our website's cookie-consent mechanism.

 

29. Changes to this Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time.

Changes may occur because:

• we add or remove website functionality;

• we install or remove third-party services;

• Wix changes its platform;

• Google changes its analytics or advertising technologies;

• Meta changes its technologies;

• our advertising arrangements change;

• privacy laws change; or

• regulatory guidance changes.

When we make material changes, we will update the “Last updated” date at the top of this policy.

 

30. Contact us

If you have any questions about cookies or similar technologies used by The Self Depreciating Sofa, please contact:

The Self Depreciating Sofa

Email: selfdepreciatingsofa@gmail.com

Location: Leicestershire, England, United Kingdom

 

31. Important information

This Cookie Policy is intended to explain our use of cookies and similar technologies in clear and accessible language.

Actual compliance also depends on the technical configuration of our website.

In particular, we will periodically review:

• the cookies actually set by our website;

• Wix cookies;

• Google Analytics;

• Google Tag Manager tags;

• Google advertising tags;

• Meta Pixel;

• Instagram integrations;

• other third-party scripts;

• cookie-consent settings;

• consent records;

• international transfers; and

• changes to applicable privacy laws and regulatory guidance.

If we introduce a new technology that materially changes how information is collected or used, we will update this Cookie Policy and, where required, seek appropriate consent.