Safeword uses cookies and similar technologies to provide, maintain, secure and improve the Services.
Cookies help us remember your preferences, keep you securely signed in, understand how our platform is used and protect both our members and the integrity of the Services.
Where required by law, we will request your consent before placing non-essential cookies or similar technologies on your device.
You may manage your cookie preferences at any time through our cookie management tools or by adjusting your browser settings.
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your computer, smartphone, tablet or other device when you visit a website.
Cookies allow websites to recognise your device, remember information about your visit and improve your browsing experience.
In addition to cookies, Safeword may use similar technologies including:
- local storage;
- session storage;
- pixel tags;
- web beacons;
- software development kits (SDKs);
- application identifiers; and
- similar technologies used for security, analytics or functionality.
For simplicity, these technologies are collectively referred to in this Privacy Policy as "cookies".
Types of Cookies We Use
Safeword may use the following categories of cookies.
Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for the operation of the Services.
They enable core functionality including:
- secure login;
- account authentication;
- session management;
- fraud prevention;
- load balancing;
- website security;
- payment processing support;
- remembering privacy preferences; and
- maintaining the stability of the platform.
Because these cookies are essential to the operation of Safeword, they cannot generally be disabled through our website.
Functional Cookies
Functional cookies remember choices you make to improve your experience.
These may include remembering:
- language preferences;
- accessibility settings;
- display preferences;
- notification preferences;
- consent choices;
- account preferences; and
- other optional settings.
These cookies help personalise your experience without identifying you unnecessarily.
Analytics Cookies
Analytics cookies help us understand how members use the platform.
They may collect information including:
- pages visited;
- time spent on pages;
- navigation patterns;
- feature usage;
- device type;
- browser type;
- operating system;
- approximate geographic region;
- referring websites; and
- general performance information.
Analytics information helps us:
- improve the Services;
- identify technical issues;
- measure feature usage;
- improve performance;
- enhance accessibility;
- understand member behaviour; and
- develop new features.
Where reasonably practicable, analytics information is aggregated or pseudonymised.
Security Cookies
Security-related cookies help protect the Services against abuse.
They may be used to:
- detect suspicious activity;
- identify automated bots;
- prevent spam;
- protect against account takeover;
- support fraud prevention;
- monitor authentication attempts;
- detect malicious activity; and
- protect the integrity of the platform.
These cookies form an important part of Safeword's security controls.
Performance Cookies
Performance cookies help us monitor the reliability of the Services.
They may collect information relating to:
- page loading times;
- server performance;
- technical errors;
- crash reports;
- browser compatibility;
- application stability; and
- overall service availability.
This information assists us in improving the reliability and performance of Safeword.
Third-Party Cookies
Some trusted third-party service providers engaged by Safeword may use cookies or similar technologies in connection with the services they provide.
Examples may include providers responsible for:
- payment processing;
- age verification;
- fraud prevention;
- security monitoring;
- website hosting;
- analytics;
- customer support;
- content delivery; or
- other technical services supporting the operation of Safeword.
Where third-party cookies are used, those providers process information in accordance with their own privacy policies and applicable legal requirements.
Consent
Where UK law requires consent before cookies are placed on your device, Safeword will request your permission through an appropriate cookie consent mechanism.
You may choose to:
- accept all cookies;
- reject non-essential cookies;
- customise your cookie preferences; or
- change your preferences at any time.
Withdrawing consent will not affect the lawfulness of any processing carried out before consent was withdrawn.
Managing Cookies
Most web browsers allow you to manage cookies through their settings.
You may be able to:
- delete existing cookies;
- block future cookies;
- receive notifications before cookies are stored;
- restrict cookies from specific websites; or
- remove stored website data.
Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality, performance or availability of parts of the Safeword platform.
Some Services may not operate correctly without essential cookies.
Do Not Track
Some web browsers offer a "Do Not Track" setting.
As there is currently no universally accepted standard governing how websites should respond to these signals, Safeword does not automatically alter its behaviour in response to browser-based "Do Not Track" requests.
We do not sell your personal information or use cookies to build advertising profiles for third-party advertisers.
Cookie Retention
Some cookies remain only for the duration of your browsing session and are automatically deleted when your browser is closed.
Other cookies may remain on your device for longer periods in order to remember your preferences or improve future visits.
Retention periods vary depending upon the purpose of the cookie and applicable legal requirements.
| Category | Example cookie/technology | Provider | Purpose | Typical duration |
|---|
| Strictly Necessary | Session ID cookie | Safeword (first-party) | Keeps you logged in and maintains session security | Session / up to 24 hours |
| Strictly Necessary | Load-balancing cookie | Hosting / CDN provider | Routes traffic reliably across servers | Session |
| Functional | Preferences cookie | Safeword (first-party) | Remembers language, display and consent preferences | Up to 12 months |
| Analytics | Analytics client ID cookie | Analytics provider | Measures site usage and feature performance | Up to 12–14 months |
| Security | Bot / fraud detection cookie | Security / CDN provider | Detects suspicious activity and automated abuse | Session / up to 12 months |
| Performance | Error / crash reporting cookie | Performance monitoring provider | Monitors reliability, load times and technical errors | Up to 12 months |
| Third-party — Payments | Fraud-prevention cookie | PayFasto | Supports secure payment processing and fraud checks | Per PayFasto's own retention schedule |
| Third-party — Age Verification | Verification session cookie | VerifyMyAge | Supports the age verification process | Session / short-lived |
Updates to Our Use of Cookies
As Safeword develops new features and engages new technology providers, the cookies and similar technologies used by the platform may change.
We will update this Privacy Policy and our Cookie Notice where appropriate to reflect material changes in our use of cookies.
