COOKIE POLICY

REVISED: 1 NOVEMBER 2025

1. Introduction
NAVOC maintains ownership of the Website located at https://www.navoc.org (“Website”). By accessing and using this Website, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by this Cookie Policy (“Policy”). By continuing to use the site, you consent to our use of cookies in accordance. If you do not agree with any part of these terms, you may adjust your browser settings to decline them or discontinue use immediately.

This Cookie Policy explains how and why cookies and similar technologies are used across our Website, and how you can control them in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), Data Protection Act 2018, Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR), and, where applicable, the EU GDPR and relevant international data-protection laws.

2. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you access a Website. They enable the Website to recognise your device and retain information about your visit, such as user preferences, language settings, or session identifiers.

Cookies are not inherently harmful. However, responsible usage is essential to ensure that they serve legitimate, proportionate, and privacy-compliant purposes.

Cookies on this Website are designed to improve navigation, enhance performance, secure access, and support accurate analytics to refine user experience.

3. Types of Cookies We Use
NAVOC employs a limited range of cookies, carefully classified according to their function and necessity.

a. Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for the operation of the Website. They enable core functionality such as secure login, session integrity, and load balancing. Without these cookies, certain parts of the site may not function properly. They do not collect personal data for marketing purposes.

b. Performance and Analytics Cookies
These cookies collect aggregated, anonymised data about how visitors interact with our site — including traffic sources, most visited pages, and session duration. This information helps us improve usability, diagnose technical issues, and optimise navigation. Analytics data is processed using privacy-compliant methods and never used to identify individual users.

c. Functionality Cookies
Functionality cookies allow the Website to remember your preferences, such as language selection or accessibility settings. They enhance convenience and ensure a consistent experience during return visits.

d. Security and Integrity Cookies
These cookies assist in detecting fraudulent or malicious activity, protecting the integrity of our systems, and ensuring that interactions are authentic. They are critical to maintaining a secure online environment and may be deployed in conjunction with encryption or CAPTCHA services.

NAVOC does not use third-party marketing, retargeting, or behavioural advertising cookies. We do not permit third-party tracking across our Website for commercial purposes.

4. Duration of Cookies
Cookies may be either session cookies or persistent cookies.

Session cookies are temporary and deleted when you close your browser. They are used primarily for site navigation and security.

Persistent cookies remain on your device for a predefined period or until manually deleted. They enable recognition between visits to maintain preference settings and improve site performance.

All cookies are subject to controlled retention periods consistent with their purpose, after which they expire automatically.

5. Third Party Cookies
In limited circumstances, this Website may integrate third-party tools (e.g., Google Analytics or embedded secure content) to enhance site performance or reporting.

Any such providers are carefully selected and contractually bound to comply with applicable data-protection laws. Third-party cookies are used solely for technical or analytical purposes, not for advertising or tracking outside this Website.

Where third-party cookies are present, users may find further information by reviewing the privacy and cookie policies of those providers directly.

6. Legal Basis for Use of Cookies
The use of non-essential cookies (such as analytics and functionality cookies) is based on your consent, which you may provide through the cookie banner or consent management tool displayed upon first visiting the site.

Essential cookies are deployed on the basis of legitimate interests under Article 6(1)(f) of the UK GDPR, as they are necessary to ensure the Website’s functionality, integrity, and security.

You may withdraw or modify your consent at any time by adjusting your browser settings or by clearing cookies stored on your device.

7. Managing & Disabling Cookies
You have the right to control how cookies interact with your device. Most browsers allow you to view, manage, and delete cookies or to block them altogether. Instructions for managing cookies can typically be found within your browser’s help or settings menu.

Please note that disabling certain cookies may impair your ability to access or interact with sections of the Website and may affect overall site performance.

For further guidance, you may consult the following external resources:

ICO – Managing Cookies: https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/online/cookies/
AboutCookies.org: https://www.aboutcookies.org/

8. Data & Privacy Integration
Information collected through cookies may constitute personal data under applicable law. Any such data is processed in accordance with our Privacy Policy, which details your legal rights and our data-handling procedures.

We do not combine cookie data with other personal data to create user profiles. All analytics are performed on aggregated and anonymised datasets to preserve individual privacy.

9. Security Measures
All cookie-related data transmitted between your browser and our systems is encrypted and processed within secure environments. We maintain stringent technical and organisational measures to prevent unauthorised access, alteration, or misuse of cookie data.

We continuously monitor and review cookie operations to ensure they remain lawful, proportionate, and consistent with best practice as defined by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and international data-protection authorities.

10. Updates to This Policy
NAVOC reserves the right to amend this Website and Policy at any time. These periodic revisions are undertaken to reflect changes in legislation, regulatory guidance, business operations, and/or technological developments. The most current version will always be available on our Website, with the date of revision clearly indicated. Changes will take effect upon publication. Continued use of the Website following these amendments will constitute acceptance of this Policy.

11. Complaints
You have the right to make a complaint to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK regulator for data protection issues (www.ico.org.uk). However, before doing so please make sure you have first made your complaint to NAVOC or requested clarification, if needed. Complaints may be issued to the NAVOC Data Protection Officer at operations@navoc.org.

12. Contact
For any enquiries or concerns regarding this Cookie Policy or our use of cookies, please contact us:

Via Email: operations@navoc.org
Via Post: NAVOC, 105 Piccadilly, Mayfair, London W1J 7NJ, United Kingdom