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Cookies Policy

Last Updated: 19 November 2024

We use cookies and similar technologies, such as pixel tags and clear GIFs (also known as web beacons), on our websites (being serif.com, affinityspotlight.com and any other websites created by us from time to time which link to this Cookies Policy, together, the ‘Websites’) and app(s) to store information or gain access to information stored on your device or computer. You can find out more about cookies and similar technologies, and how we use them, in the information set out below. Any information that we collect will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

If you do not accept the use of these cookies or similar technologies, you can disable them by following the instructions in this policy below or by changing your browser settings so that cookies or similar technologies from our Websites or app cannot be placed on your computer or mobile device.

1. What are cookies and similar technologies?

Cookie

A cookie is a small text file that is placed onto your computer via your web browser when you visit a website that uniquely identifies your browser or device. When you return to that website (or visit websites that use the same cookies) these websites recognize the cookies and your browsing device.

Cookies are not the only way to recognize or track visitors to a website. We also use technologies which are similar to cookies, such as web beacons/pixels.

Web beacons/Pixels/Gifs

Web beacons (also called “tracking pixels” or “clear gifs”) are invisible picture files/small portions of code that contain a unique identifier that enable us to recognize users when providing the Services. Web beacons collect information such as a record of the page on which they are placed and a timestamp. We use web beacons to track the online usage patterns of our users and in HTML-based emails sent to our users to track which emails are opened and which links are clicked by recipients, which helps us measure the success of our marketing campaigns. We also use web beacons placed by third party advertisers to track whether you have clicked on the adverts they have placed and to measure success. While you may not have the ability to specifically reject or disable these tracking technologies, in many instances, these technologies are reliant on cookies to function properly; accordingly, in those instances, declining cookies will impair the functionality of these technologies.

2. Categories of cookies

Cookies do many different jobs, like letting you navigate between pages efficiently, remembering your preferences, and generally improving the user experience. Cookies can tell us, for example, whether you have visited the Websites before or whether you are a new visitor. They can also help to ensure that adverts you see online are more relevant to you and your interests.

There are different categories of cookies, including:

  • First-party cookies First party cookies, which are served directly by us to your computer or device.
  • Third-party Cookies Third-party cookies, which are served by a third party on our behalf.

Cookies can remain on your device for different periods of time. Some cookies are ‘session cookies’, meaning that they exist only while your browser is open. These are deleted automatically once you close your browser. Other cookies are ‘permanent cookies’, meaning that they survive after your browser is closed. They can be used by the Websites, for example, to recognise your computer when you open your browser and browse the Internet again.

3. What cookies do we use and how do we use them?

There are a number of essential cookies that are stored as soon as you visit our Websites. There are also other non-essential cookies, including first-party ones and third-party non-essential cookies from other Websites. Before these non-essential cookies are placed on your computer or device, you will be shown a cookie compliance statement, requesting your consent to set those cookies. By giving your consent, you are enabling us to provide you with the best possible experiences and services to you.

You can opt-out of cookies (except essential cookies) by customising your cookie settings.

In addition to the cookies we use on our Websites, we use technologies such as pixel tags in some emails and push notifications which enable us to understand whether you have opened the email and how you have interacted with it.

For Affinity Website

Essential Cookies

Essential Cookies are vital to enable you to browse around our Websites.

Without these Cookies, services like the ability to sign in, add items to cart, or complete purchase cannot be provided.

  • site_locale/preferred_locale/locale
    Stores your language preference. It is set whenever you change your language (or locale) or visit a page on the site that auto-redirects you to a localised version of the page. This cookie expires after 1 year.
  • serif_allow_analytics
    Stores a datestamp when you accept the Marketing and Analytics cookies. This cookie expires after 1 year.
  • serif_manage_cookies_viewed
    Stores a datestamp after you’ve saved a cookie settings preference. This cookie expires after 1 year.
  • session
    Enables the webserver to identify you as the user and improve your browsing experience. This cookie expires at the end of your session.
  • shopping_session_id
    Stores a unique shopping reference that allows a user to create a basket over any website under the serif.com domain. This cookie expires at the end of your session.
  • __Host-known_login
    Stores a unique reference that allows us to recognise a device for security purposes. This cookie expires 3 months after the last successful sign-in session.

The following also set essential cookies in order to allow our Store checkout to function.

Cookies used on the Affinity Forum are listed on the Forum cookie page.

Cookies used on the Affinity Spotlight website are listed below.

Non-essential Cookies

First party cookies identify unique users through individual sessions (visits). There are a few third-party websites that also use cookies on our behalf, like social networking sites. Google Analytics uses first party cookies and saves anonymous statistical data that we use to improve your experience on our site. If you consent to these cookies, basic mode of Google consent will be implemented.

For Affinity Spotlight

Essential Cookies

Essential Cookies are vital to enable you to browse around our Websites. Without these Cookies, services like the ability to sign in, add items to cart, or complete purchase cannot be provided.

  • session
    Enables the webserver to identify you as the user and improve your browsing experience. This cookie is deleted at the end of your session.
  • serif_allow_analytics
    Stores a datestamp when you accept the Marketing and Analytics cookies. This cookie expires after 1 year.
  • serif_manage_cookies_viewed
    Stores a datestamp after you’ve saved a cookie settings preference. This cookie expires after 1 year.

Non-essential Cookies

First party cookies identify unique users through individual sessions (visits). There are a few third-party websites that also use cookies on our behalf, like social networking sites.

4. How to control or delete cookies or similar technologies

We use cookies on this site to make sure you can use the Websites easily and enjoy the Websites. Some of these cookies are essential and we cannot provide our service without them, but there are others that can be turned off (depending on the device you use). Note that, depending on the type of device you have, it may not be possible to delete or disable tracking mechanisms. For some tracking technologies, you may also not have the ability to specifically reject or disable tracking. However, in many instances these technologies are reliant on cookies to function properly; accordingly, in those instances, declining cookies will impair the functionality of these technologies.

When a website stores a Cookie, it states how long the Cookie should stay on the computer for – this can be for the current visit only or for a period of time, for example one week. Our main Cookie Session_ID only stays on your computer while you are on Our Websites. It is automatically removed when you leave Our Websites.

How to change your browser settings

You can choose to delete our, or any Websites’ cookies from your web browser at any time (for help on how to do this, go to www.aboutcookies.org.uk). You can also set your web browser to not accept any Cookies if you wish. You will still be able to view Our Websites, but some of the personalised features may not work correctly. You can control browser cookies through your browser settings. Most web browsers have a 'Help' feature that explains how to prevent your browser from accepting new cookies, how to block cookies, and how to manage cookie expiration.

How to opt-out of online ads

Some users will have the option to opt out of seeing targeted online ads from participating companies by visiting https://www.aboutads.info/choices, https://www.youronlinechoices.com or similar websites in your jurisdiction. Please note that this list will contain more networks than those used on our site.

Alternatively, you can opt out of certain cookies through the settings in your browser or reset the advertising ID on your mobile device via settings.

To learn more about the advertising companies we work with and the choices they offer, please take a look at the following resources:

How to opt-out of mobile advertising

If you are using a mobile device, you can opt out of having your mobile advertising identifiers used for certain types of targeted advertising, including those performed by us, by accessing the settings in your Apple or Android mobile device and following the most recent published instructions. If you opt out, the random ID we (or our third-party partners) had previously assigned to you will also be removed. This means that if at a later stage, you decide to opt-in, we will not be able to continue and track you using the same ID as before, and you will effectively be a new user to our system.

How to opt-out of third party cookies

You also have the option to opt out of having your browsing activity within websites recorded by cookies and other technologies. In addition to managing cookies in your browser settings (described above), you can opt out of certain cookies by clicking on the links provided below. Please note that this will take you to the relevant third party website.

5. Changes to this policy

We will occasionally update this policy to reflect changes in our practices and services. When we post changes to this policy, we will revise the “Last Updated” date at the top of this policy. If we make any material changes in the way we collect, use, and/or share information held in cookies, we will notify you by prominently posting notice of the changes on the Websites. We recommend that you check this page from time to time to inform yourself of any changes in this policy or any of our other policies.

6. Need more information?

You can read more about how we use your information in our Privacy Policy.

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