This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are, exactly which cookies First Technology Group uses when you visit firsttechnologygroup.com, why we use each type, and how you can control or disable them. We believe you have a clear right to understand what happens on your device when you visit our website, and this page is our straightforward answer.
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that a website stores on your device — computer, smartphone, or tablet — when you visit. They help websites remember you between page visits, maintain your session, recall your preferences, and give website operators insights into how their content is being used.
Cookies are not programs. They cannot access other files on your device or cause harm. They are simply lightweight data files stored in your browser.
Beyond traditional cookies, firsttechnologygroup.com may also use:
- Local Storage — browser-based data storage that persists without an expiry date
- Session Storage — temporary storage cleared automatically when you close the browser tab
- Pixel Tags — small image files used by advertising networks to track ad impressions
- Web Beacons — used in our email newsletter to measure open rates and link engagement
2. Cookie Categories We Use
Category 1: Strictly Necessary Cookies
These are essential for firsttechnologygroup.com to function. Without them, basic operations — page navigation, contact form submissions, and session maintenance — cannot work. They cannot be disabled.
- Session management cookies — keep your session active while navigating between pages
- Security cookies — protect your session and our website infrastructure from fraud and abuse
- Load distribution cookies — manage traffic efficiently across our hosting environment
Category 2: Analytics Cookies (Google Analytics 4)
These help us understand how business professionals discover and engage with our content — which articles attract the most readers, where our audience comes from, and which topics drive the most engagement. All data is anonymised and aggregated.
- _ga — identifies unique users across sessions (expires: 2 years)
- _gid — identifies users within a 24-hour session (expires: 24 hours)
- _ga_[ID] — maintains session state for Google Analytics 4 (expires: 2 years)
Analytics data is retained for 14 months and used exclusively to improve content quality and website structure. Individual-level data is never shared with third parties.
Category 3: Advertising Cookies (Google AdSense)
First Technology Group participates in the Google AdSense programme. Google uses cookies to deliver business-relevant advertisements based on your browsing activity and professional interests.
- NID — stores advertising preferences for Google services (expires: 6 months)
- IDE — used by DoubleClick to track ad interactions and measure conversions (expires: 1 year)
- ANID — used for interest-based advertising targeting (expires: 13 months)
To opt out of personalised advertising from Google, visit g.co/adsettings. For broader advertising opt-out, visit optout.aboutads.info.
Category 4: Functional Cookies
These improve your experience by remembering choices you have previously made:
- Language and region preferences
- Your cookie consent choices — stored so we do not repeat the consent banner on every visit
- Comment form autofill — optionally remembers your name and email
- Newsletter subscription status
Category 5: Third-Party and Embedded Content Cookies
Some articles include embedded content from third-party professional platforms — including LinkedIn posts, SlideShare presentations, YouTube business videos, or interactive data dashboards. When you interact with embedded content, those providers may set their own cookies. We do not control these and recommend reviewing their policies:
- LinkedIn — linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy
- YouTube / Google — youtube.com/howyoutubeworks/user-settings/privacy/
- SlideShare — slideshare.net/privacy
3. Cookie Duration
- Session cookies — automatically deleted when you close your browser
- Persistent cookies — stored for a set period (30 days to 2 years) unless manually deleted
- Third-party cookies — subject to the respective third party’s expiry policy
4. Managing and Controlling Cookies
Through Your Browser
- Google Chrome: Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data
- Mozilla Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
- Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data
- Microsoft Edge: Settings > Cookies and site permissions
- Opera: Settings > Privacy & security > Cookies
Blocking all cookies may affect the functionality of firsttechnologygroup.com. We recommend using our cookie consent tool to disable only non-essential categories.
Through Our Cookie Consent Banner
When you first visit firsttechnologygroup.com, a cookie consent banner allows you to accept all, reject non-essential cookies, or customise by category. Update your choices anytime via the ‘Cookie Settings’ link in our footer.
For Google Analytics
Install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on at tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout to prevent your data from being processed by Google Analytics.
For Google Advertising
Manage Google advertising preferences at g.co/adsettings. This preference is stored in a cookie and must be reset if you clear browser cookies.
5. Do Not Track
Some browsers send a ‘Do Not Track’ signal. There is currently no universally accepted standard for responding to DNT signals. First Technology Group does not currently modify data collection practices in response to DNT signals. We will update this policy if industry standards change.
6. Updates to This Policy
We update this Cookie Policy when we adopt new tools or change data practices. The ‘Last updated’ date at the top reflects the latest revision.
7. Contact Us
Cookie questions? Contact us at contact@firsttechnologygroup.com.