Cookie and Browser Storage Policy
This policy inventories the cookies and similar browser storage used by the Hawkins & Wells storefront. Necessary technology supports sign-in, security, checkout and choices you request; optional analytics must remain off until you choose it.
Important: No optional analytics or advertising tracker is currently loaded by the storefront. Choosing optional analytics records your preference for that category; it does not by itself install a tracker. This policy and the consent control must be updated before any such technology is introduced.
1. What cookies and similar technologies are
Cookies are small values a website asks a browser to store and return with later requests. Local storage keeps values on the device until they are removed; session storage normally lasts until the browser tab or session closes. Privacy rules may treat these technologies similarly even when a value is not a cookie.
Hawkins & Wells uses them only for the purposes listed below. A technology is not classified as necessary merely because it is convenient; it must be essential to provide a service you requested, protect it, or remember a choice needed for that service.
2. Categories
Strictly necessary technology supports secure authentication, fraud prevention, checkout state, delivery, consent evidence and other functions required for a service you request. It does not require consent where a valid legal exemption applies, but it is still disclosed here.
Preference storage remembers choices such as theme or a local wishlist. Analytics measures use and performance. Marketing technology attributes campaigns, builds audiences or measures activity across services. Where consent is required, preference, analytics and marketing technology stays off until the relevant choice is made.
3. Current storefront inventory
Names containing a project, book, offer or referral identifier are dynamic. Duration describes the designed lifetime; browser settings, sign-out, security rotation or service changes may remove a value sooner.
- Authentication cookies (dynamic provider names) — first party; strictly necessary; maintain and refresh a secure reader session; session or provider-controlled expiry, and cleared or invalidated on sign-out or security expiry.
- hw-cookie-choice — local storage; strictly necessary; records policy version, necessary and analytics choices, and choice time; retained until browser storage is cleared or the consent version changes.
- hw-theme — local storage; preference requested by the reader; remembers light or dark appearance; retained until changed or browser storage is cleared.
- hw-wishlist-{bookId} — local storage; requested wishlist function; remembers a saved book on that device; retained until unsaved or browser storage is cleared.
- hw-checkout-{offeringId}-{rewardId} — session storage; strictly necessary; prevents accidental duplicate checkout creation; lasts for the browser session.
- hw-pending-verification — session storage; strictly necessary; supports account email-code verification; lasts for the browser session or is removed after verification.
- hw-referral-{code} — local storage; strictly necessary to complete a referral claim requested by the reader without duplication; retained until browser storage is cleared.
4. Optional analytics and marketing
The current storefront code does not load an optional analytics service, advertising pixel or cross-site marketing tracker. If one is proposed, Hawkins & Wells must first document its provider, exact names, fields, purpose, recipients, duration, countries, deletion test and activation rule, then update this policy and consent interface before release.
Accepting optional analytics is voluntary. Refusing or withdrawing it does not block access to the catalogue, account, checkout, purchased library or Reader Care.
5. Accepting, rejecting or changing a choice
The preference control offers Necessary only and Allow optional analytics with equal access to core services. You can reopen it from this page and change the choice at any time. A new choice applies prospectively; it cannot undo processing that lawfully occurred beforehand.
If optional technology is later enabled, withdrawing consent must stop future activation and initiate the documented deletion or expiry behaviour. Necessary technology remains available because disabling it may prevent sign-in, secure checkout or another service you requested.
6. Browser and device controls
Most browsers can display, delete or block cookies and site data. Blocking all storage may sign you out, remove a local wishlist or theme, interrupt checkout protection, or make the preference prompt return.
Browser privacy signals are respected where they create a legal obligation and are technically applicable. We do not claim that a generic signal replaces a specific consent choice in every jurisdiction.
7. External sites and embedded services
A link to Amazon, a social network or another external site does not place that site’s cookies through the Hawkins & Wells storefront. Once you follow the link, the external service controls its own technologies under its policy.
A future embedded player, map or social feature must be assessed before release. Where it sets non-essential storage or transmits data before interaction, it must be blocked until the required choice.
8. Updates and questions
A change to purpose, category, provider or material storage duration triggers an inventory and consent review and, where necessary, a new policy version and renewed choice. Cosmetic wording changes do not silently expand permission.
For a question about these technologies, use My desk > Privacy or the public About contact form and identify the browser, device and storage name if known.