Cookie Policy & Privacy Information
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit websites. They help websites remember your preferences and provide functionality.
Cookies We Use
Essential Cookies
Cookie Consent: We store your cookie preference (accept/decline) to remember your choice.
- Cookie name:
santa_sleigh_cookie_consent
- Duration: 365 days
- Purpose: Remember your cookie preference
Third-Party Cookies
Facebook Plugins: We embed Facebook content to show updates from our page. Facebook may set cookies for analytics and tracking.
Google Maps: We embed Google Maps to show Santa's routes. Google may set cookies for maps functionality and analytics.
Analytics & Usage Data
We use basic, privacy-friendly analytics to understand how visitors use our site. This helps us improve the experience for everyone.
What We Collect
- Page views: Which pages you visit
- Button clicks: Which features you use (e.g., "View Map", "Report Sighting")
- Time on page: How long you spend on our site
Street Search Logging: To help us improve our street search feature and ensure all streets are included, we collect detailed information about searches:
- Search terms entered: What you typed in the search box
- Search results: Whether we found a match for your street
- IP address: Your internet connection's IP address
- Approximate location: City and region (derived from IP address)
- Device information: Browser type and operating system
Why We Collect This Data
- Identify missing streets in our database
- Understand search patterns to improve the feature
- Detect and prevent misuse
- Ensure all Salford neighborhoods are properly covered
What We DON'T Collect
- Personal information (names, emails, phone numbers)
- Exact physical addresses
- Tracking across other websites
- Browsing history outside our site
- Financial information
Data Storage & Security
- Self-hosted: Our analytics are stored in Netlify's secure function logs
- No third-party tracking: We don't share data with advertisers or marketing companies
- Retention: Log data is automatically deleted after 30 days
- Access: Only authorized volunteers can access analytics data
Santa Sighting Reports
When you submit a Santa sighting report, we collect:
- Street name (selected from our routes)
- Time of sighting
- Timestamp of report submission
This information is stored in Google Forms and displayed publicly on our website to help others track Santa's progress. We do not collect any personal information (names, emails, addresses) with sighting reports.
Legal Basis for Data Processing
Under UK GDPR, we process your data based on:
- Legitimate interests: Improving our website and ensuring comprehensive route coverage for the community benefit
- Consent: By using the search feature, you consent to this logging. You can choose not to use the search feature if you don't want this data collected
Your Rights
Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:
- Access: Know what data we collect about you
- Rectification: Request corrections to your data
- Erasure: Request deletion of your data (IP logs are automatically deleted after 30 days)
- Restriction: Limit how we process your data
- Objection: Object to data processing
- Data portability: Receive your data in a portable format
- Lodge a complaint: Contact the ICO (Information Commissioner's Office) if you have concerns
Managing Cookies & Privacy
You can manage cookies and your privacy in several ways:
- Cookie banner: Click "Decline" to reject non-essential cookies
- Browser settings: Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies
- Don't use search: Browse street lists manually to avoid search logging
- VPN/Proxy: Use a VPN to mask your IP address
- Private browsing: Use incognito/private mode
Note: If you decline cookies, Facebook updates and interactive maps may not display properly.
Data Sharing
We do not sell, rent, or trade your data. We only share data with:
- Netlify: Our hosting provider (subject to their privacy policy)
- Law enforcement: If legally required
Search data may be reviewed by authorized Scout volunteers to identify missing streets and improve coverage.
Children's Privacy
Our website is family-friendly and suitable for all ages. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. Parents should supervise their children's internet use.
Contact Us
If you have questions about our privacy practices, want to exercise your rights, or request data deletion, please contact us:
Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy from time to time. Significant changes will be posted on this page. This policy was last updated in December 2025.