Cookie Policy

Effective date: To be set on publication.
Last updated: 2026-05-23

This Cookie Policy explains what cookies and similar storage technologies we use on mystwoodstudios.com (the “Site”), why we use them, and how you can control them. It complements our Privacy Policy, which covers all personal-data processing.

1. What are cookies?

A cookie is a small text file that a website stores on your device (computer, phone, or tablet) when you visit. Cookies let a site remember things between page loads or between visits — for example, that you have accepted a banner, or that you prefer dark mode.

Related technologies include:

• localStorage — a similar storage mechanism built into your browser; data lives until you (or the site) clear it.
• sessionStorage — like localStorage, but cleared automatically when you close the browser tab.
• First-party cookies — set by the website you are visiting.
• Third-party cookies — set by a different domain embedded in the page (for example, an analytics script or an embedded video).

Cookies can be session cookies (deleted when you close the browser) or persistent cookies (kept for a defined period).

2. What we use right now

We use the minimum storage needed to comply with cookie law and to remember your consent choice. We do not currently use any third-party cookies, analytics trackers, advertising pixels, A/B-testing tools, heat-maps, or session-replay tools.

Name	Type	Set by	Purpose	Lifetime
mw_cookie_consent	First-party cookie	This Site	Stores your cookie-consent choice (accepted / declined / essential-only) so the banner does not re-appear on every page load	12 months
mw_cookie_consent	localStorage key	This Site	Same value as the cookie, written in parallel as a fallback for browsers / devices that aggressively clear cookies	Until you clear browser data, or 12 months (whichever is sooner — the banner re-prompts you on the next visit after expiry)
WordPress session cookie	Session cookie	This Site	Only set if you log in to the WordPress admin (/wp-admin). Public visitors do not get this cookie.	Session, plus rolling renewal while logged in

That is the full list. No analytics, no advertising, no social pixels, no fonts served from a third-party CDN, no embedded videos.

3. Cookie categories explained

Even though we currently use only one category, we describe the four standard categories below so you know what to expect if we ever add more.

3.1 Strictly necessary (essential)

These cookies are required for the Site to function. They cannot be switched off in our systems because, without them, basic things like remembering your consent choice would not work.

Currently in use: mw_cookie_consent (cookie + localStorage).

These do not require your consent under the ePrivacy Directive Article 5(3) because they are “strictly necessary” for a service you have explicitly requested.

3.2 Functional

These improve the user experience but are not strictly required. Example: remembering a language preference, or a layout choice.

Currently in use: none.

3.3 Analytics

These help us understand how visitors use the Site (which pages are popular, how long visitors spend on a page, where they come from). They typically involve a third-party processor.

Currently in use: none.

3.4 Marketing / advertising

These track your behaviour across sites to build a profile and serve targeted ads.

Currently in use: none. We have no plans to add advertising cookies.

4. Features we may add later

If we add any of the following in the future, this Cookie Policy will be updated before the feature goes live, and the consent banner will re-prompt you so you can make a fresh choice:

• Mailchimp signup embed — if we move from our self-hosted newsletter form to an embedded Mailchimp form, that embed sets its own cookies.
• Third-party font CDN (e.g. Google Fonts, Adobe Fonts) — we currently self-host our typefaces. Switching to a CDN would log your IP address with that CDN’s operator.
• Analytics — if we add Plausible, Fathom, Matomo, or GA4 to understand site usage.
• Embedded video (YouTube, Vimeo) — embedded players typically set tracking cookies.
• Social-media share widgets — official “Share to X / Facebook / LinkedIn” buttons set cookies. Our current footer uses plain anchor links that do not set cookies.

When any of these is added, you will see them listed in Section 2 and the banner will re-appear.

5. How to manage cookies

5.1 Through our banner

When you first visit the Site, our consent banner asks you to choose one of:

• Accept all — currently the same as “Essential only” because we have no other categories live. The choice is stored so you do not see the banner again for 12 months.
• Essential only — only the strictly necessary cookies are set.
• Decline — same as “Essential only” today; will hide future optional categories when they exist.

You can change your choice at any time using the “Cookie preferences” link in the footer of every page.

5.2 In your browser

Most browsers let you block or delete cookies. The exact steps depend on your browser:

• Chrome — Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data.
• Firefox — Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data.
• Safari — Preferences → Privacy.
• Edge — Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Cookies and site data.

Blocking strictly necessary cookies will mean the consent banner re-appears on every page load (because we have no way to remember your choice).

5.3 Debug helper

If you want to test the banner flow (for example, to confirm it appears for first-time visitors), append ?reset_consent=1 to any URL on the Site:

https://mystwoodstudios.com/?reset_consent=1

This clears the consent cookie and the localStorage value, and reloads the page so the banner re-appears.

6. Do Not Track

The “Do Not Track” (DNT) browser signal is not a formal standard and is interpreted inconsistently across the industry. Because we do not run any analytics or advertising cookies today, DNT has nothing to suppress on our Site. If we add optional tracking in the future, we will treat a DNT signal as a refusal of those optional categories.

7. Changes to this policy

We will update this Cookie Policy whenever we add, remove, or change a cookie or similar technology. The “Last updated” date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision. Material changes — particularly adding a new category — trigger a fresh banner prompt.

8. Contact

For questions about this Cookie Policy:

• Email: info@mystwoodstudios.com
• See also our Privacy Policy for the broader picture of how we handle personal data.

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This document is pending lawyer review. Until reviewed, treat as reviewed-template language (Termly / iubenda-style), not legal advice.