Cookie Declaration
Last updated: January 15, 2025
This page explains what cookies we use on our website and why. You can manage your cookie preferences at any time using our Manage Cookies tool or through your browser settings.
This declaration complements our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. For broader information about how we handle your data, please review those documents.
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that websites place on your device to store information. They help websites remember your preferences and improve your browsing experience.
Cookie Categories
🔒 Strictly Necessary Cookies
Purpose: Essential for website functionality
Can be disabled: No – Required for the site to work
Duration: Session and persistent
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
cart_token | Abacus Whiskers | Maintains shopping cart contents | 7 days |
session_id | Abacus Whiskers | User session management | Session |
security_token | Abacus Whiskers | Security and fraud prevention | 24 hours |
gdpr_consent | GDPR Plugin | Stores your cookie preferences | 1 year |
currency_selection | Abacus Whiskers | Remembers your currency choice | 30 days |
📊 Analytics Cookies
Purpose: Help us understand how visitors use our website
Can be disabled: Yes
Duration: Varies (see individual cookies)
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
_ga | Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique users | 2 years |
_gid | Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique users | 24 hours |
_gat | Google Analytics | Throttles request rate | 1 minute |
_ga_* | Google Analytics | Session identification | 2 years |
What we track:
- Pages visited and time spent
- How visitors navigate our site
- Which products are most popular
- General location (country/region only)
- Device type and browser information
Data is anonymized – We cannot identify individual users from this data.
🎯 Marketing Cookies
Purpose: Personalized content and advertising
Can be disabled: Yes
Duration: Varies (see individual cookies)
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
_fbp | Facebook Pixel tracking | 3 months | |
fr | Ad delivery and measurement | 3 months | |
IDE | Ad targeting and measurement | 2 years | |
test_cookie | Test if cookies can be placed | 15 minutes |
Used for:
- Showing relevant ads for our educational products
- Measuring advertising effectiveness
- Social media integration
- Retargeting visitors who showed interest
⚙️ Functional Cookies
Purpose: Enhanced user experience
Can be disabled: Yes
Duration: Varies (see individual cookies)
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
language_preference | Abacus Whiskers | Remembers language choice | 1 year |
theme_preference | Abacus Whiskers | Light/dark mode setting | 1 year |
recently_viewed | Abacus Whiskers | Shows recently viewed products | 30 days |
email_signup_dismissed | Abacus Whiskers | Prevents repeated newsletter prompts | 90 days |
Third-Party Services
Payment Processors
Stripe, PayPal, Klarna may set their own cookies during checkout:
- Purpose: Secure payment processing and fraud prevention
- Control: Managed by payment providers
- Duration: Varies by provider
- Privacy policies: Available on their respective websites
Content Delivery
Cloudflare (if used) may set cookies for:
- Purpose: Website security and performance
- Control: Essential for site functionality
- Duration: Session-based
Managing Your Cookie Preferences
🔧 Our Cookie Tools
- Manage Cookies: Update preferences anytime
- Cookie banner: Make choices when you first visit
- Consent withdrawal: Change your mind anytime
🌐 Browser Controls
All major browsers allow you to manage cookies:
Chrome: Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies
Firefox: Options > Privacy & Security > Cookies
Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Cookies
Edge: Settings > Cookies and Site Permissions
📱 Mobile Devices
iOS: Settings > Safari > Privacy & Security
Android: Chrome App > Settings > Site Settings > Cookies
Cookie Consent Choices
✅ What Happens When You Accept
- Strictly necessary: Always active (required)
- Analytics: We can improve our website based on usage
- Marketing: You may see relevant ads for our products
- Functional: Enhanced features and personalization
❌ What Happens When You Decline
- Strictly necessary: Still active (required for functionality)
- Analytics: No usage tracking (we can’t improve as effectively)
- Marketing: No personalized advertising or social features
- Functional: Basic experience without enhancements
Educational Context
As an educational resource provider, we use cookies responsibly:
🎓 For Teachers
- Product recommendations based on teaching level
- Content suggestions relevant to your subject areas
- Usage analytics to improve our educational resources
🏫 For Schools
- Institutional accounts may have different cookie requirements
- Bulk purchase tracking for administrative purposes
- Educational compliance considerations
Cookie Updates
When We Update This Declaration
- New cookies added: When we integrate new services
- Cookie changes: If purposes or durations change
- Legal updates: To maintain compliance
- User requests: Based on feedback
How You’ll Know
- Email notification: If you’ve opted in for updates
- Website banner: For significant changes
- Last updated date: Always shown at the top
International Considerations
🇪🇺 European Union (GDPR)
- Explicit consent required for non-essential cookies
- Granular control over cookie categories
- Easy withdrawal of consent
- Data minimization principles applied
🇺🇸 California (CCPA)
- “Do Not Sell” option available
- Personal information protection
- Opt-out mechanisms provided
🌍 Other Regions
We apply privacy-friendly defaults globally and comply with local laws where applicable.
Technical Information
Cookie Storage
- First-party cookies: Set directly by our website
- Third-party cookies: Set by external services we use
- Secure transmission: HTTPS encryption for all cookies
- SameSite attributes: Enhanced security settings
Data Processing
- Anonymization: Personal identifiers removed where possible
- Aggregation: Individual data combined for insights
- Retention limits: Automatic deletion after specified periods
- Access controls: Limited to authorized personnel only
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to accept cookies to use your site?
A: Only strictly necessary cookies are required. You can decline others and still access most features.
Q: Can I change my cookie preferences later?
A: Yes! Use our Manage Cookies tool or clear your browser cookies to start fresh.
Q: Do you sell my cookie data?
A: No, we never sell personal data. Analytics data is anonymized and used only for site improvement.
Q: Are cookies safe?
A: Yes, cookies cannot harm your device. They’re just small text files that store preferences.
Q: Do cookies slow down my browser?
A: Minimally. We use only necessary cookies and regularly review their usage.
Contact & Support
Questions about cookies?
📧 Email: martyn@abacuswhiskers.com
🌐 Website: https://www.abacuswhiskers.com
🔒 Privacy Policy: View our full privacy policy
📋 Terms of Use: Read our terms of service
Your Rights
You have the right to:
- Know what cookies we use and why
- Control non-essential cookies
- Withdraw consent at any time
- Access or delete your data (see our Privacy Policy for details)
- Contact us with concerns
We’re committed to transparency and respecting your privacy choices while providing the best possible experience for educational professionals.
This cookie declaration is designed to be comprehensive yet accessible, providing all necessary technical and legal information while remaining user-friendly for our educational community.