How we use cookies and similar technologies
Last updated: 1 April 2026
Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, tablet, or smartphone) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently, provide a better user experience, and give website operators useful information about how their site is being used.
Cookies cannot harm your device, do not contain viruses, and cannot access other information stored on your device. They are governed in the UK by the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR) alongside the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Black Inky Nothingness uses cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
These cookies are strictly necessary for the Site to function properly. They enable core features such as page navigation, secure areas, and form submissions. The Site cannot function correctly without these cookies, and they cannot be disabled. Under PECR, these cookies do not require consent as they are essential for the service you have requested.
| Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| session_id | blackinkynothingness.com | Maintains your browsing session while you navigate the Site, enabling page continuity and secure form processing | Session (deleted when you close your browser) |
| csrf_token | blackinkynothingness.com | Protects against cross-site request forgery attacks by validating that form submissions originate from our Site | Session |
| cookie_consent | blackinkynothingness.com | Records your cookie consent preferences so we do not ask you repeatedly and can respect your choices | 1 year |
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our Site by collecting information about pages visited, time spent on the Site, and any errors encountered. This data is aggregated and anonymised, meaning it cannot be used to identify you personally. We use this information to improve our content and user experience.
| Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| _ga | Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique visitors to the Site by assigning a randomly generated identifier, used to calculate visitor, session, and campaign data for analytics reports | 2 years |
| _gid | Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique visitors for the purpose of aggregating site usage data within a 24-hour period | 24 hours |
| _gat | Google Analytics | Throttles the request rate to Google Analytics servers, limiting data collection on high-traffic pages to ensure performance | 1 minute |
These cookies allow the Site to remember choices you make and provide enhanced, more personalised features. They help us deliver a better experience by retaining your preferences across visits.
| Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| user_prefs | blackinkynothingness.com | Stores your display and contact preferences, such as preferred contact method and communication frequency | 90 days |
| form_data | blackinkynothingness.com | Remembers previously entered assessment form data (e.g. postcode, property type) so you do not need to re-enter it on return visits | 30 days |
| recently_viewed | blackinkynothingness.com | Tracks which security system comparisons and pages you have recently viewed, allowing us to show relevant suggestions | 30 days |
In addition to our own cookies, we may use cookies set by third-party services that we have integrated into our Site. These third parties have their own privacy and cookie policies, and we encourage you to review them:
We do not control third-party cookies and are not responsible for the practices of these third parties. The information collected by third-party cookies is subject to the privacy policies of those third parties.
You have several options for managing cookies. Please note that blocking or deleting certain cookies may affect the functionality of the Site and your user experience.
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can typically find these options in the "Privacy" or "Security" section of your browser preferences. Instructions for common browsers:
You can configure your browser to block all cookies, block only third-party cookies, or alert you when a cookie is being set. You can also delete cookies that have already been stored on your device.
You can opt out of specific third-party analytics and advertising cookies using the following tools:
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the cookies we use, changes in technology, or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. We encourage you to review this page periodically. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page indicates when the most recent changes were made.
Where changes are significant, we will make reasonable efforts to notify you, for example by displaying a notice on our Site or updating our cookie consent banner.
If you have questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us:
BLACK INKY NOTHINGNESS LTD
Email: privacy@blackinkynothingness.com
Phone: +44 (0) 800 772 0850
Address: Suite 12, Greenfield Business Centre, 45 Harrow Road, London, W2 1HH, United Kingdom
For more information about how we handle your personal data, please see our Privacy Policy. For information about your rights under UK data protection law, you may also contact the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk.