Cookie policy
Last updated: 2 October 2026
This policy explains the cookies and similar technologies on the virtualsecretary.online website. It is written for the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR) and the UK GDPR. Non-essential cookies are not set unless you agree.
1. What they are
A cookie is a small text file placed on your device by a website. We also use your browser’s local storage, which stores a short note on your device in a similar way. Some of these items are strictly necessary. Others, used to measure visits, need your consent.
2. Strictly necessary
We store your cookie choice so that we do not ask again on every page, and so that analytics stays off if you refuse it. PECR does not require consent for storage that is strictly necessary to provide a service you have asked for. This preference is always on. It is not used for advertising.
3. Analytics
If you accept analytics, we may use Google Analytics 4 and Google Tag Manager to see how many people visit, which pages they open, and whether the site is working. IP addresses are anonymised in our analytics configuration. These tools stay off until two things are both true: you have accepted analytics, and we have switched analytics on for the live site. Until then, rejecting or ignoring the banner leaves you with the necessary preference only.
Google’s own notice is at policies.google.com/privacy and policies.google.com/technologies/cookies. Google is a separate controller of data it receives under its terms.
4. What is stored
| Name | Who sets it | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
virtualsecretary_cookie_consent_v1 |
virtualsecretary.online (local storage) | Remembers that you accepted, refused, or set preferences | Until you clear site data or choose again |
_ga |
Google Analytics | Distinguishes visitors. Set only after consent, and only if analytics is on | Up to 2 years |
_ga_* |
Google Analytics 4 | Holds session state for the measurement ID. Same conditions as _ga |
Up to 2 years |
We do not use advertising, social-media or cross-site tracking cookies.
5. Your choice
The banner offers three routes: accept all, reject non-essential, or set preferences and save them. Rejecting is as easy as accepting. You can change your mind at any time:
You can also block or delete cookies in your browser. Blocking the necessary preference means the banner will appear again. Guides for common browsers are published by the browser makers.
6. Contact
Questions: hello@virtualsecretary.online. How we use personal data more widely is in our Privacy policy.