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Cookie Policy

Last Updated: 2 February 2026 Effective Date: 2 February 2026

Operating Entity​

RTC Collector is a service operated by RetroTechCollection.

Operating Entity: RetroTechCollection Service Name: RTC Collector Operating Entity Website: https://retrotechcollection.com Service URL: https://rtccollector.com

This Cookie Policy explains how RTC Collector uses cookies and similar technologies on our website and applications. In this policy, "we", "us", and "our" refer to RetroTechCollection, the operating company.

What Are Cookies?​

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They help websites remember information about your visit, like your preferences and login status.

Cookies can't access other files on your device or install malware. They're just data files that websites use to function properly and improve your experience.

Why We Use Cookies​

We use cookies for several reasons:

  • Keeping you logged in
  • Remembering your preferences
  • Making the site work properly
  • Understanding how people use RTC Collector
  • Improving performance and fixing bugs

Some cookies are essential for the site to work. Others are optional but help us make the service better.

Types of Cookies We Use​

1. Essential Cookies (Required)​

These cookies are necessary for RTC Collector to function. You can't disable them without breaking the site.

Session Cookie:

  • Name: session_token
  • Purpose: Keeps you logged in
  • Duration: 7 days or until you log out
  • Contains: Encrypted authentication token
  • Shared with: Only our servers

CSRF Token:

  • Name: csrf_token
  • Purpose: Protects against cross-site request forgery attacks
  • Duration: Session (deleted when you close your browser)
  • Contains: Random token
  • Shared with: Only our servers

Legal Basis: These are strictly necessary for providing the service you've requested (Article 6(1)(b) UK GDPR - contract performance).

2. Functional Cookies (Opt-out Available)​

These cookies remember your choices and preferences.

Theme Preference:

  • Name: theme_preference
  • Purpose: Remembers if you prefer dark or light mode
  • Duration: 1 year
  • Contains: "dark" or "light"
  • Shared with: None

Language Preference:

  • Name: lang_preference
  • Purpose: Remembers your language choice
  • Duration: 1 year
  • Contains: Language code (e.g., "en-GB")
  • Shared with: None

Cookie Consent:

  • Name: cookie_consent
  • Purpose: Remembers your cookie preferences
  • Duration: 1 year
  • Contains: Which cookie categories you've accepted
  • Shared with: None

Legal Basis: Legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f) UK GDPR) - these improve your experience without tracking you.

These help us understand how people use RTC Collector so we can improve it.

Google Analytics (if you consent):

  • Names: _ga, _ga_*, _gid
  • Purpose: Tracks page views, time on site, user journeys
  • Duration: Up to 2 years
  • Contains: Anonymous identifiers and usage data
  • Shared with: Google LLC
  • Privacy controls: IP anonymization enabled, data sharing disabled

Note: We've configured Google Analytics to:

  • Anonymize IP addresses
  • Disable data sharing with Google for advertising
  • Respect Do Not Track signals
  • Not collect personally identifiable information

Legal Basis: Consent (Article 6(1)(a) UK GDPR) - you must explicitly opt in.

4. Marketing Cookies (Currently Not Used)​

We don't currently use marketing or advertising cookies. If we add them in future, we'll:

  • Update this policy
  • Ask for your consent
  • Explain what they do
  • Provide opt-out options

Similar Technologies​

Besides cookies, we use:

Local Storage​

We store data in your browser's local storage for:

  • Offline functionality (PWA features)
  • Caching data to reduce server requests
  • Saving draft messages
  • UI state (like which sections you've collapsed)

Local storage persists until you clear it or we delete it. It's only accessible by our domain.

Session Storage​

We use session storage for temporary data that's deleted when you close your browser:

  • Navigation state
  • Form progress
  • Temporary UI preferences

Web Beacons / Pixels​

We don't currently use web beacons or tracking pixels in emails or on the site. If we add them, we'll update this policy.

Third-Party Cookies​

Some cookies come from third parties we work with:

Stripe (Payment Processing)​

When you visit payment pages, Stripe may set cookies for:

  • Fraud detection
  • Payment processing
  • PCI DSS compliance

See Stripe's cookie policy: stripe.com/cookies-policy

Content Delivery Network (CDN)​

Our CDN may set cookies to:

  • Optimize content delivery
  • Protect against DDoS attacks

These don't track you personally.

We don't control third-party cookies. Check their privacy policies for details.

How to Control Cookies​

You have several options for managing cookies:

When you first visit RTC Collector, you'll see a banner asking about cookies. You can:

  • Accept all cookies
  • Accept only essential cookies
  • Customize which categories you allow

Change your preferences anytime in account settings under "Privacy & Cookies".

Browser Settings​

Most browsers let you control cookies:

Google Chrome:

  1. Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
  2. Choose your preferred setting
  3. View and remove existing cookies

Firefox:

  1. Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
  2. Choose your preferred setting
  3. Manage cookies and clear data

Safari:

  1. Preferences → Privacy
  2. Manage cookies and website data
  3. Block or allow cookies

Edge:

  1. Settings → Privacy, search, and services
  2. Cookies and site permissions
  3. Manage and delete cookies

Blocking all cookies will prevent you from using RTC Collector because essential cookies are necessary for login.

Mobile Apps​

If you use our mobile PWA:

  • Settings → Privacy → Clear browsing data
  • Choose "Cookies and site data"

Do Not Track​

Some browsers send a "Do Not Track" signal. We respect this for analytics cookies but essential cookies still function (they have to for the site to work).

Different cookies last for different times:

Cookie TypeLifespan
SessionUntil you log out or 7 days
CSRF TokenUntil browser closes
Theme/Language1 year
Cookie Consent1 year
AnalyticsUp to 2 years

After expiration, cookies are automatically deleted by your browser.

Updates to This Policy​

We'll update this cookie policy if we change how we use cookies. Changes will be reflected in the "Last Updated" date at the top.

For significant changes (like adding new cookie categories), we'll notify you via:

  • Email
  • Banner notification
  • Updated cookie consent banner

Under UK GDPR and PECR (Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations), we need consent for non-essential cookies.

Here's how we handle consent:

On First Visit:

  • You see a cookie banner
  • Essential cookies load immediately (required for the site to function)
  • Analytics cookies wait for your consent
  • Your choice is remembered in the cookie_consent cookie

Changing Your Mind:

  • Update preferences in account settings anytime
  • Clear your browser cookies to reset
  • We respect your new choice immediately

Withdrawing Consent:

  • Doesn't affect cookies set before you withdrew consent
  • Stops future non-essential cookies
  • Existing analytics cookies will expire normally

Children's Privacy​

Children under 13 can't use RTC Collector. Users 13-17 need parental consent.

If parents don't want cookies used for their child's account:

  1. Log in to the child's account
  2. Go to Settings → Privacy & Cookies
  3. Disable non-essential cookies

Essential cookies can't be disabled as they're necessary for the service.

Contact Us​

Questions about cookies?

Questions about specific third-party cookies?

  • Stripe: stripe.com/privacy
  • Google Analytics: policies.google.com/privacy

Your Data Protection Rights​

Using cookies involves processing personal data (like your IP address and browsing behavior). You have rights under UK GDPR:

  • Access what data we've collected
  • Request deletion
  • Object to processing
  • Withdraw consent

See our Privacy Policy and GDPR page for full details.

Glossary​

Cookie: Small text file stored by websites on your device Session: The time between logging in and logging out (or closing your browser) First-party cookie: Set by RTC Collector directly Third-party cookie: Set by someone else (like Stripe) HTTP-only cookie: Can't be accessed by JavaScript (more secure) Secure cookie: Only sent over HTTPS (more secure) SameSite cookie: Protects against CSRF attacks

Technical Details for Developers​

For those interested in the technical implementation:

Essential Cookies:

  • session_token: HTTP-only, Secure, SameSite=Strict, 7 days
  • csrf_token: HTTP-only, Secure, SameSite=Strict, Session

Preference Cookies:

  • theme_preference: Not HTTP-only (needs JS access), Secure, SameSite=Lax, 365 days
  • lang_preference: Not HTTP-only, Secure, SameSite=Lax, 365 days
  • cookie_consent: Not HTTP-only, Secure, SameSite=Lax, 365 days

All cookies use the Secure flag, meaning they're only sent over HTTPS.

Last reviewed: 2 February 2026 Next review: 2 May 2026 (or when we change cookie usage)