Cookie Policy
STRATMETA LTD · Effective 03 February 2026 · Last updated 21 August 2026
This policy explains how StratMeta uses cookies and similar technologies, what they do and how you can control them.
1. About this policy
This Cookie Policy applies to the StratMeta website operated by STRATMETA LTD, trading as StratMeta. It should be read alongside our Privacy Policy.
We use cookies and similar technologies in accordance with applicable UK data-protection law and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations.
2. What are cookies and similar technologies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They can help a website remember information, maintain a secure session and provide features such as checkout and saved preferences.
Similar technologies include local storage, session storage, pixels and scripts that store information on, or access information from, your device. This policy uses “cookies” to refer collectively to these technologies where appropriate.
3. How StratMeta uses cookies
We use cookies to:
- Operate essential website and checkout features
- Remember your cookie and analytics preferences
- Protect the website and payment process against fraud
- Understand website usage and performance where you have consented to analytics
4. Categories of cookies we use
Essential cookies
Essential cookies are required to provide features you request, maintain security, process payments or remember your privacy choices. They do not require consent where they are strictly necessary for those purposes.
You can block essential cookies through your browser, but doing so may prevent features such as checkout or payment processing from working properly.
Analytics cookies
Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors use the website, including which pages are visited and how people move through the site.
Google Analytics is not activated and its analytics cookies are not set unless you choose to allow analytics through our cookie banner or cookie settings tool.
5. Cookies and storage technologies used
The following table describes the main cookies and similar technologies that may be used. Browser restrictions or provider settings may shorten the stated duration.
| Name | Category | Purpose | Duration | Provider |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| sm_cookie_consent | Essential | Stores your cookie and analytics preferences so the website can respect your choices. | 1 year | StratMeta |
| _ga | Analytics | Distinguishes visitors and supports aggregated website-usage reporting. | Up to 2 years | Google Analytics |
| _ga_* | Analytics | Maintains session information for the relevant Google Analytics property. The suffix varies by property. | Up to 2 years | Google Analytics |
| __stripe_mid | Essential | Helps Stripe detect and prevent fraudulent payment activity. | 1 year | Stripe |
| __stripe_sid | Essential | Helps Stripe assess the risk associated with a payment session. | 30 minutes | Stripe |
| m | Essential | Supports Stripe’s payment fraud detection and prevention systems. | Up to 2 years | Stripe |
6. Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics 4 to understand how visitors use the StratMeta website. This may include information about pages visited, approximate location, device and browser type, referral source and general interaction patterns.
Google Analytics is an optional service. Its tag is not activated and its analytics cookies are not set unless you consent to the analytics category.
If you reject analytics, StratMeta does not activate Google Analytics. You can later provide or withdraw consent through the cookie settings option on the website.
Google Analytics 4 normally uses the _ga cookie to distinguish visitors and a property-specific _ga_* cookie to maintain session information.
Google processes analytics information as our analytics provider. You can read more about how Google protects information collected through Google Analytics in Google’s data-safeguarding information.
7. Vercel Web Analytics
We may also use Vercel Web Analytics to obtain aggregated information about website traffic and performance. Vercel Web Analytics does not use traditional analytics cookies and is designed to store anonymised analytics information.
Although Vercel Web Analytics does not use traditional analytics cookies, StratMeta applies the analytics preference you select to this service as well. It is not enabled unless you allow analytics.
8. Stripe payment and fraud-prevention cookies
StratMeta uses Stripe to process online shop payments. When you access checkout or payment features, Stripe may use cookies and similar technologies to process the transaction, authenticate the payment, detect suspicious activity and prevent fraud.
These technologies are treated as essential where they are necessary to provide the payment feature securely. The exact cookies used may vary depending on the payment method, Stripe configuration and whether features such as Link or 3D Secure are used.
You can learn more from Stripe’s Cookie Policy.
9. Third-party providers and international processing
Google, Stripe and some other technology providers may process information outside the United Kingdom.
Where a restricted international transfer takes place, the transfer must be covered by an applicable legal mechanism. This may include UK adequacy regulations, the UK International Data Transfer Agreement or the UK Addendum to the European Commission’s Standard Contractual Clauses.
Further information about international transfers is available in our Privacy Policy.
10. Managing your preferences
When you first visit the website, you can accept or reject optional analytics. Rejecting analytics will not prevent you from browsing the website or purchasing a product.
You can review or change your decision at any time using the cookie settings option available on the website. Withdrawing consent does not affect processing that took place before the withdrawal.
You can also remove or block cookies through your browser settings. Blocking essential cookies may prevent checkout, payment or other requested features from working.
If you are under 13, you must not enable optional analytics yourself. A parent or guardian must manage optional cookie choices on your behalf.
11. Consent and legal basis
Under PECR, consent is not required for cookies that are strictly necessary to provide a feature or service you have requested.
Where essential cookies involve personal data, the relevant UK GDPR lawful basis may be performance of a contract or our legitimate interests in operating a secure and functional website, depending on the purpose.
Analytics cookies and related analytics processing are used only with your consent. You can withdraw that consent at any time through the cookie settings option.
12. Contact
If you have questions about this Cookie Policy or our use of cookies, email privacy@stratmeta.co.uk or use our contact form.
13. Changes to this policy
We may update this Cookie Policy when our website, providers or legal obligations change. The latest version will be published on this page with a revised “Last updated” date.