Last updated: October 2, 2026

This Cookie Policy explains how Stone Soup Group (“we”, “us”, or “our”) uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on our website https://www.stonesoupgroup.org (the “Site”). It explains what these technologies are and why we use them, as well as your rights to control our use of them.

What are cookies?

A cookie is a small data file that is placed on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. Website owners widely use cookies to make their websites work, or to work more efficiently, as well as to provide reporting information.

Cookies set by the website owner are called “first-party cookies.” Cookies set by parties other than the website owner are called “third-party cookies.” Third-party cookies enable third-party features or functionality to be provided on or through the website (e.g., advertising, interactive content, and analytics).

Why do we use cookies?

We use first-party and third-party cookies for several reasons. Some cookies are required for technical reasons for our Site to operate, and we refer to these as “strictly necessary” cookies. Other cookies enable us to track and target the interests of our users to enhance the experience on our Site.

Types of cookies we use

Strictly Necessary Cookies: These are essential to provide you with services available through our Site and to use some of its features, such as access to secure areas.
Performance and Analytics Cookies: These collect information about how visitors use our Site, which pages they go to most often, and if they get error messages.
Functionality Cookies: These allow our Site to remember choices you make (such as your user name, language, or the region you are in) and provide enhanced, more personal features.
Targeting/Advertising Cookies: These are used to deliver advertisements more relevant to you and your interests. They are also used to limit the number of times you see an advertisement and help measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns.

How can you control cookies?

You have the right to decide whether to accept or reject cookies. You can exercise your cookie preferences by clicking on the appropriate opt-out links provided in our cookie banner or by modifying your browser settings or by clicking the “Modify Cookie Consent” link at the bottom of this page.

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings preferences. If you choose to reject cookies, you may still use our Site, though your access to some functionality and areas of our Site may be restricted.

Prior Consent Implementation: Non-essential tracking mechanisms and real-time behavioral loggers are technically gated. They do not initialize or intercept communication data until you provide explicit affirmative consent via our cookie consent banner.

California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA)

Scope of Communication Interception Technologies

When you visit or interact with our Site, automated technologies may interact with your browser or device. Under CIPA, we classify certain tools as active communication facilitators that require your explicit prior authorization before data packets or real-time event logs are shared with external providers. These tools include:

Third-Party Analytics and Advertising Pixels: Code snippets that log page visits, URL structures, and interactive events for marketing performance measurement.
Session Replays and Behavioral Heatmaps: Software that monitors navigation, keystrokes, or screen interactions to improve user experience.

Requirement for Prior Affirmative Consent

Pre-Consent Blocking: In accordance with wiretap and interception prohibitions, all non-essential third-party tracking scripts, session recorders, and marketing pixels are technically suppressed by default. They do not initialize, record, or transmit communication data while in transit until you provide affirmative, prior consent via our cookie consent banner.
No Retroactive Effect: Mere notification or browsing the Site after reading a disclosure does not constitute active consent to intercept communications. Tracking remains disabled until an explicit “Accept” action is registered from your session.

Updates to this Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect, for example, changes to the cookies we use or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. Please re-visit this Cookie Policy regularly to stay informed about our use of cookies and related technologies.