Cookie Policy

Effective Date: 25 January 2025


1. Introduction

This Cookie Policy explains how EmergencyHelper (emergencyhelper.co.uk), a division of Tyga.Cloud Ltd (Company No: 14643275), uses cookies and similar technologies when you visit our website and use our services.

This Policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

2. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work efficiently, provide a better user experience, and supply information to website operators.

Cookies can be "session cookies" (which are deleted when you close your browser) or "persistent cookies" (which remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them).

3. Cookies We Use

EmergencyHelper uses a minimal number of cookies, all of which are essential to the functioning of the Service or enhance your user experience. We do not use any third-party advertising or tracking cookies.

3.1 Essential Cookies (Strictly Necessary)

These cookies are required for the Service to function. They cannot be switched off. Without them, the website cannot operate correctly.

Cookie Name Provider Purpose Type Expiry
connect.sid EmergencyHelper Express session cookie. Maintains your authenticated session as you navigate the site. Session data is stored server-side in Redis; this cookie contains only the session identifier. Session (HttpOnly) Expires on browser close, or after the server-side session timeout (typically 24 hours of inactivity)
3.2 Functionality Cookies

These cookies remember your preferences to provide a more personalised experience.

Cookie Name Provider Purpose Type Expiry
app_theme EmergencyHelper Stores your preferred colour scheme (light or dark mode) so it persists across page loads and sessions. Persistent 1 year
3.3 Third-Party Cookies: Stripe

When you make a payment through the Platform, Stripe (our payment processor) may set cookies on your device. These cookies are essential for processing your payment securely and for fraud prevention.

Cookie Name Provider Purpose Type Expiry
__stripe_mid Stripe Used by Stripe to identify your device for fraud detection and prevention during payment processing. Persistent 1 year
__stripe_sid Stripe Used by Stripe to maintain payment session state and prevent fraud during the checkout process. Session 30 minutes

Stripe's use of cookies is governed by Stripe's Privacy Policy. We do not control the cookies set by Stripe.

3.4 Third-Party Cookies: Map Providers

EmergencyHelper uses mapping services to display engineer locations and help you find available Helpers near your postcode. Depending on the configuration, this may be OpenStreetMap (via Leaflet) or Google Maps.

Provider Cookies / Storage Purpose
Leaflet / OpenStreetMap Map tile caching via browser cache. No cookies set. Rendering interactive maps displaying Helper locations. OpenStreetMap tile requests are made directly to tile servers but no identifying cookies are set on your device.
Google Maps (if enabled) Various Google cookies (e.g., NID, CONSENT, 1P_JAR) When Google Maps is used as the map provider, Google may set cookies for map rendering, performance, and analytics. These are governed by Google's Privacy Policy.

4. Cookies We Do NOT Use

For clarity, EmergencyHelper does not use the following types of cookies:

  • Third-party advertising cookies — We do not display advertisements and do not allow ad networks to set cookies on our site.
  • Social media tracking cookies — We do not embed social media widgets that track your browsing activity.
  • Cross-site tracking cookies — We do not participate in any cross-site tracking or retargeting programmes.
  • Analytics cookies — We do not currently use Google Analytics, Hotjar, or similar analytics platforms that set cookies on your device.

5. How to Manage Cookies

You can control and manage cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:

  • View what cookies are stored on your device.
  • Delete individual cookies or all cookies.
  • Block cookies from specific websites or all websites.
  • Set your browser to notify you when a cookie is set.

Please note that if you block or delete the connect.sid session cookie, you will be unable to log in or maintain an authenticated session on the Platform.

Here are links to cookie management instructions for common browsers:

6. Local Storage and Similar Technologies

In addition to cookies, the Platform may use browser local storage or session storage for temporary client-side data (such as form state or UI preferences). This data is stored locally on your device, is not transmitted to our servers, and is cleared when you close your browser (session storage) or can be cleared via your browser settings (local storage).

7. Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our use of cookies or for legal, regulatory, or operational reasons. When we make changes, we will update the "Effective Date" at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this Policy periodically.

8. Contact Information

If you have any questions about our use of cookies, please contact us:

  • EmergencyHelper Division
  • Tyga.Cloud Ltd
  • Ground Floor, Unit 2 Mallard Court, Mallard Way, Crewe Business Park, Crewe, Cheshire, England, CW1 6ZQ
  • Company No: 14643275
  • Email: privacy@emergencyhelper.co.uk
  • Data Protection Officer: dpo@tyga.cloud

EmergencyHelper is a division of Tyga.Cloud Ltd (Company No: 14643275).

Registered Address: Ground Floor, Unit 2 Mallard Court, Mallard Way, Crewe Business Park, Crewe, Cheshire, England, CW1 6ZQ.