Cookie Notice – The Electric Oracle

Last Updated: 19th July 2025

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, smartphone, or tablet) when you visit our website. They help us provide you with a better browsing experience by remembering your preferences and understanding how you use our site.

This Cookie Notice explains what cookies we use on The Electric Oracle website, operated by Xenmedia Marketing Ltd, and how you can control them.

How We Use Cookies

We use cookies to:

Improve your browsing experience by remembering your preferences
Analyze website traffic to understand how visitors use our site
Track affiliate links for commission purposes (with your consent)
Ensure website security and prevent fraudulent activity
Provide relevant content based on your interests
Support our YouTube channel integration and social media features

Types of Cookies We Use

1. Essential Cookies (Always Active)

These cookies are necessary for our website to function properly and cannot be disabled.

Purpose:

Website security and fraud prevention
User session management
Accessibility features
Basic website functionality

Examples:

Session management cookies
Security tokens
Load balancing cookies
Accessibility preference cookies

Legal Basis: Legitimate interest (essential for website operation) Retention: Session duration or until you close your browser

2. Analytics and Performance Cookies

These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously.

Purpose:

Measure website traffic and user behavior
Identify popular content and pages
Improve website performance and user experience
Track YouTube content engagement when embedded on our site

Cookies Used:

Google Analytics: _ga, ga*, _gid, _gat
YouTube Analytics: Embedded video engagement tracking
Website Performance: Page load times, error tracking

Data Collected:

Pages visited and time spent
Device and browser information
Geographic location (country/city level)
Referral sources and search terms
Click patterns and scroll behavior

Legal Basis: Consent (non-essential analytics) Retention: Up to 26 months (Google Analytics default)

3. Marketing and Affiliate Cookies

These cookies track your activity to help us provide relevant advertising and track affiliate commissions.

Purpose:

Track affiliate link performance for commission attribution
Measure effectiveness of marketing campaigns
Provide relevant content recommendations
Support retargeting and remarketing efforts

Cookies Used:

Affiliate Tracking: Commission tracking pixels and cookies
Social Media: Facebook Pixel, Twitter conversion tracking
Advertising Networks: Google Ads, affiliate network cookies

Data Collected:

Products viewed and clicked
Purchase behavior and conversion tracking
Social media interaction data
Advertising engagement metrics

Legal Basis: Consent (marketing purposes) Retention: Up to 12 months or until you opt-out

4. Functional and Preference Cookies

These cookies remember your choices and preferences to provide enhanced functionality.

Purpose:

Remember your cookie preferences
Store user interface preferences
Maintain newsletter subscription preferences
Remember video quality and autoplay settings

Examples:

Cookie consent choices
Video player preferences
Language and region settings
Accessibility options

Legal Basis: Consent (enhanced functionality) Retention: Up to 12 months or until changed by user

5. Social Media and Integration Cookies

These cookies enable social media features and YouTube video integration.

Purpose:

YouTube video embedding and analytics
Social sharing functionality
Social media login options
Cross-platform content syndication

Third-Party Cookies:

YouTube: Video playback, engagement tracking, recommendations
Social Platforms: Sharing buttons, login integration
Content Networks: Video hosting, content delivery

Legal Basis: Consent (social media integration) Retention: Varies by third-party service (typically 6-12 months)

Third-Party Cookies

Some cookies are set by third-party services that appear on our website:

Google Analytics

Purpose: Website traffic analysis and user behavior insights
Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
Opt-out: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout

YouTube (Google)

Purpose: Video hosting, analytics, and recommendations
Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
Data Use: View counts, engagement metrics, user preferences

Affiliate Networks

Purpose: Commission tracking and performance measurement
Examples: Commission Junction, Amazon Associates, ShareASale
Data: Click tracking, conversion attribution, referral sources

Social Media Platforms

Purpose: Social sharing, content syndication, user engagement
Platforms: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram
Privacy Policies: Available on respective platform websites

Managing Your Cookie Preferences

Cookie Consent Banner

When you first visit our website, you’ll see a cookie consent banner offering you choices:

Accept All Cookies: Enables all cookie categories
Reject Non-Essential: Only essential cookies will be used
Customize Settings: Choose specific cookie categories
Cookie Settings: Access detailed preferences

Browser Cookie Controls

You can control cookies through your browser settings:

Chrome:

Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data
Choose “Block third-party cookies” or customize by site

Firefox:

Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
Select “Custom” for detailed cookie controls

Safari:

Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data
Configure cross-site tracking prevention

Edge:

Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Cookies and site data
Choose tracking prevention level

Opt-Out Tools

Google Analytics Opt-out: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
YouTube Privacy Settings: Manage via your Google account
Social Media: Configure privacy settings on respective platforms
Advertising Choices: www.youronlinechoices.com/uk

Cookie Categories and Legal Basis

Cookie Category	Legal Basis	User Control	Retention Period
Essential	Legitimate Interest	Cannot be disabled	Session/Functional need
Analytics	Consent	Can opt-out	Up to 26 months
Marketing/Affiliate	Consent	Can opt-out	Up to 12 months
Functional	Consent	Can opt-out	Up to 12 months
Social Media	Consent	Can opt-out	Varies by service

Electric Vehicle Content Specific Cookies

EV Industry Analytics

We use specialized tracking to understand engagement with electric vehicle content:

Performance Content: Track engagement with range, charging, and efficiency content
Review Analytics: Measure interest in specific EV models and brands
Policy Content: Monitor engagement with government incentive and regulation content
Technical Analysis: Track user interest in battery technology and charging infrastructure

Purpose: Improve content relevance and accuracy for UK EV audience Legal Basis: Consent via analytics cookies Data Use: Anonymous engagement metrics only

Affiliate Vehicle Tracking

When you click affiliate links to EV manufacturers or charging networks:

Attribution Tracking: Links your clicks to potential purchases
Commission Calculation: Enables commission payment for referrals
Performance Measurement: Helps us understand which partnerships provide value

Your Control: Opt-out via marketing cookie preferences Transparency: All affiliate relationships are clearly disclosed

Data Protection and Privacy

Personal Data in Cookies

Most cookies don’t contain personal data, but some may include:

IP Addresses: Used for analytics and security
Device Identifiers: For cross-session functionality
User Preferences: Stored for enhanced experience

International Data Transfers

Some cookie data may be transferred internationally:

Google/YouTube: Data processed in US with adequate safeguards
Analytics Services: Protected by Standard Contractual Clauses
Affiliate Networks: Various locations with appropriate protections

Data Security

Cookie data is protected through:

Encryption: Secure transmission and storage
Access Controls: Limited access on need-to-know basis
Regular Audits: Ongoing security assessments
Compliance Monitoring: Regular privacy impact assessments

Your Rights

Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:

Withdraw Consent: Change your cookie preferences at any time
Access Data: Request information about cookie data we hold
Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured format
Rectification: Correct inaccurate cookie-related data
Erasure: Request deletion of cookie data (where technically possible)

Exercise Your Rights: Contact info@xenmediamarketing.co.uk

Cookie Policy Updates

Change Notifications

We may update this Cookie Notice to reflect:

Changes in our cookie usage
New legal requirements
Technical improvements
Additional third-party services

How You’ll Be Informed

Website Banner: Prominent notice for material changes
Email Notification: To newsletter subscribers for significant updates
Version Dating: Each update includes effective date
Continued Use: Implies acceptance of updated policy

Complaints and Concerns

Contact Us

For cookie-related questions or concerns:

Email: info@xenmediamarketing.co.uk
Subject: “Cookie Policy Enquiry”
Response Time: Within 5 working days

Regulatory Complaints

You can also contact:

Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO): www.ico.org.uk
Phone: 0303 123 1113
Online: ICO website complaint form

Technical Information

Cookie Lifespan

Session Cookies: Deleted when you close your browser
Persistent Cookies: Remain until expiry date or manual deletion
Secure Cookies: Only transmitted over HTTPS connections
HttpOnly Cookies: Cannot be accessed by JavaScript for security

Mobile and App Considerations

Mobile Browsers: Same cookie controls apply
YouTube Mobile App: Separate privacy settings in app
Cross-Device Tracking: Limited to consented analytics only

Compliance Statements

This Cookie Notice complies with:

UK GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)
Data Protection Act 2018
PECR (Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations)
ICO Cookie Guidance
ePrivacy Directive

Last Reviewed: [19th July 2025] Next Review: [Date + 6 months]

Contact Information

Xenmedia Marketing Ltd trading as The Electric Oracle

Email: info@xenmediamarketing.co.uk
Address: Suite 2, 4, Blenheim Court, Peppercorn Cl, Peterborough PE1 2DU
Data Controller: Des Dreckett
Business Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM GMT

Quick Cookie Management:

[Change Cookie Preferences] ← Link to cookie settings
[View Privacy Policy] ← Link to full privacy statement
[Contact Us] ← Link to contact form

This Cookie Notice is part of our overall privacy framework and should be read alongside our Privacy Statement and Terms and Conditions.

Implementation Notes:

Ensure your website has a functional cookie banner with granular consent options
Link this notice prominently in your website footer and cookie banner
Regularly audit your cookies using browser developer tools or specialized software
Keep records of cookie consent and user preferences
Monitor compliance with ICO guidance and PECR requirements
Test functionality when users opt-out of different cookie categories