Cookies Policy
Last updated: 29 September 2026
Introduction
This Cookies Policy explains how reportagevx uses cookies and similar technologies on our Course A reporting and visual production platform. The platform supports professionals in field preparation, studio reports, camera operation, lighting balance, and smooth workflows for news coverage across the United Kingdom. We operate as a commercial service and comply with the UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR). This page provides transparent information about the data practices that affect your browsing experience.
What Are Cookies and Similar Technologies
Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They store information such as preferences, login status, and usage patterns. Similar technologies include web beacons, pixels, and local storage that can access or store data on your device. These tools allow websites to recognise returning visitors, remember choices, and deliver tailored content without requiring repeated manual input. On a platform focused on professional news production, such technologies help maintain stable connections during live reporting sessions and preserve settings for camera and lighting tools.
Why We Use Cookies
We employ cookies to ensure the platform functions correctly for users engaged in time-sensitive news workflows. They enable secure access to production modules, remember interface preferences for studio reports, and support analytics that improve field preparation guidance. Without these technologies, features such as workflow continuity and performance monitoring would be unavailable or severely limited, affecting the quality of professional coverage.
Categories of Cookies We Use
Strictly necessary cookies are required for core operations including authentication and security during live sessions. Functional cookies remember user settings such as preferred camera presets or lighting configurations. Analytics or performance cookies collect aggregated data on how the platform is used, helping refine tools for smooth news coverage. Advertising or targeting cookies may personalise promotional content about training modules. Social-media cookies facilitate sharing of production resources when integrated with external networks.
First-Party Versus Third-Party Cookies
First-party cookies are set directly by reportagevx and relate to essential platform functions such as session management for studio reports. Third-party cookies originate from external providers that deliver analytics, content delivery, or integration services. These may include tools that monitor workflow efficiency or support video rendering processes used in professional news production. Both types are listed in the table below where applicable.
Session Versus Persistent Cookies
Session cookies exist only while your browser is open and are deleted when you close it; they support active tasks such as real-time camera operation monitoring. Persistent cookies remain on your device for a defined period or until manually removed, storing long-term preferences like lighting balance templates. Retention periods vary by category, typically ranging from the duration of a single visit up to twenty-four months for analytics purposes, subject to your consent choices.
Data Handled and Purpose of Each Category
Strictly necessary cookies process identifiers needed for security and basic navigation. Functional cookies store customised settings to streamline production workflows. Analytics cookies handle usage statistics such as page views and feature interactions to enhance platform reliability. Each category serves a distinct purpose tied to maintaining professional standards in news reporting and visual production.
Consent and Legal Basis Under UK Law
Strictly necessary cookies operate under the legitimate interests basis or as strictly exempt under PECR because they are essential for service delivery. All other categories require your prior consent, which we obtain through our site-wide cookie banner. You may withdraw consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of processing based on consent before withdrawal. This approach aligns with UK GDPR transparency obligations and gives you meaningful control over non-essential tracking.
Cookie Provider Table
The following table summarises the main cookies and similar technologies currently in use. Information is reviewed regularly and may change as providers update their services.
- Name: _sessionid – Purpose: Maintain active user sessions during production tasks – Provider: reportagevx – Category: Strictly necessary – Duration: Session
- Name: pref_camera – Purpose: Store camera operation preferences – Provider: reportagevx – Category: Functional – Duration: 12 months
- Name: _ga – Purpose: Analyse platform usage for performance improvements – Provider: Google Analytics – Category: Analytics – Duration: 24 months
- Name: _fbp – Purpose: Support targeted content delivery – Provider: Meta – Category: Advertising – Duration: 3 months
How the Consent Manager Works
Our cookie banner appears on first visit and allows you to accept all, reject non-essential, or customise choices by category. Selections are recorded and can be revisited via a link in the footer or site settings. Withdrawing consent immediately stops the relevant cookies from being set or read on subsequent interactions. Changes apply across the platform including areas used for field preparation and studio report management.
Browser-Level Controls and Consequences
Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies through privacy settings. Disabling strictly necessary cookies will prevent core functions such as login and workflow persistence from operating. Blocking analytics cookies limits our ability to improve features for news coverage but does not stop essential service delivery. You remain responsible for managing these settings according to your device and browser.
International Transfers
Some third-party providers may transfer data outside the United Kingdom. Where this occurs, appropriate safeguards such as standard contractual clauses are used. Full details of data handling practices appear in our separate Privacy Policy, which should be read alongside this document.
Policy Changes
We may update this Cookies Policy to reflect legal developments or changes in the technologies we employ. The date at the top of the page indicates the most recent revision. Continued use of the platform after updates constitutes acceptance of the revised terms.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this policy or wish to exercise your rights, please reach us using the contact form on our Contacts page or by writing to Beaconsfield Studios, Station Road, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, HP9 1LG. You may also email [email protected] for further information regarding cookie practices on the Course A platform.