COOKIE POLICY

SubOptic Association

suboptic.org

Version 1.0 | Effective Date: 1st January 2026 | Last Reviewed: 1st January 2026

Cookie Consent Management: Consent Pro (consentpro.com)

This website uses Consent Pro, a Webflow-native cookie consent management platform, to obtain, record, and manage your cookie preferences in compliance with UK GDPR, EU GDPR, and applicable US privacy law.

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work, improve their efficiency, and provide reporting information. Cookies may be set by the website you are visiting (first-party cookies) or by third-party services operating on that website (third-party cookies).

Cookies can be either 'session' cookies, which are deleted when you close your browser, or 'persistent' cookies, which remain on your device for a set period of time or until you delete them manually.

Similar technologies such as web beacons, pixel tags, and local storage may also be used on our website and are referred to collectively as 'cookies' throughout this policy.

2. About SubOptic and This Policy

This Cookie Policy applies to the website at suboptic.org (the "Website"), operated by the SubOptic Association ("SubOptic", "we", "us", "our"). SubOptic is the global industry association for submarine cable communications, connecting professionals and organisations across the subsea technology sector.

This policy explains:

What cookies and similar technologies we use on suboptic.org;
Why we use them;
How you can manage your preferences;
Your rights in relation to cookies depending on your location.

This policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy, which is available at suboptic.org/privacy-policy-uk and suboptic.org/privacy-policy-us.

3. How We Manage Cookie Consent

We use Consent Pro (consentpro.com) to manage your cookie consent on suboptic.org. Consent Pro is a Webflow-native consent management platform (CMP) that:

Displays a cookie consent banner when you first visit our Website;
Scans and automatically detects all scripts and trackers that load on our Website;
Blocks non-essential cookies and scripts until you have given your consent;
Allows you to accept all cookies, reject all non-essential cookies, or manage your preferences by category;
Automatically stores a record of your consent decision, including a timestamp, so that we can demonstrate compliance if required by a regulator;
Applies geolocation rules so that the appropriate consent mechanism is shown based on your location (for example, GDPR-compliant banners for visitors in the UK and EU, and CCPA notices for visitors in California).

You can update or withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the "Cookie Preferences" link in the bottom corner of our Website.

4. Categories of Cookies We Use

The cookies used on suboptic.org fall into the following categories. The first two categories (Strictly Necessary and Functionality) may be set without your consent. All other categories require your explicit consent before being activated.

4.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are essential for the operation of our Website and cannot be disabled. They do not require your consent. Without these cookies, the Website cannot function correctly.

4.2 Functionality Cookies

These cookies allow the Website to remember choices you make (such as your language preference or login details) and provide enhanced, personalised features. They do not track your browsing activity on other websites.

4.3 Analytics Cookies

These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our Website. All information collected is aggregated and anonymised. These cookies will only be set with your consent.

Note: We have configured Google Analytics to anonymise IP addresses. Google Analytics operates under Google's own Privacy Policy. Where you are in the UK or EU, Google's data processing is governed by a Data Processing Amendment. You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking across all websites by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on at tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

4.4 Marketing and Targeting Cookies

These cookies may be set through our Website by third-party advertising partners. They may be used to build a profile of your interests and to show you relevant advertisements on other websites. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. These cookies will only be set with your explicit consent.

4.5 Embedded Content Cookies

Our Website may embed content from third-party platforms such as YouTube or Vimeo (for event recordings and video content) and interactive maps. These services may set their own cookies when you interact with embedded content. These cookies will only be activated with your consent, in line with Consent Pro's embedded content controls.

5. Third-Party Services on suboptic.org

The following third-party services are integrated into suboptic.org and may process data via cookies or similar technologies. Where consent is required, these services are managed through Consent Pro and will only activate following your consent:

6. Your Rights and How to Manage Your Preferences

6.1 Managing Preferences via Consent Pro

You can review, update, or withdraw your cookie consent at any time by:

Clicking the "Cookie Preferences" link in the corner/ footer of any page on suboptic.org;
Using the Consent Pro preference centre to toggle consent by category.

Withdrawing consent for non-essential cookies will not affect the lawfulness of any processing carried out before withdrawal, and will not affect the use of strictly necessary cookies which are required for the Website to function.

6.2 UK and EU Users

If you are located in the United Kingdom or European Union, your rights under UK GDPR and EU GDPR include:

The right to be informed about the cookies used and their purposes (which this policy fulfils);
The right to refuse or withdraw consent for non-essential cookies at any time;
The right to request erasure of personal data processed via cookies, subject to certain conditions;
The right to lodge a complaint with the relevant supervisory authority.

For UK users, the relevant supervisory authority is the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO): ico.org.uk. For EU users, your national data protection authority is the relevant supervisory authority.

6.3 US Users (including California)

If you are located in California, you may have rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), including the right to opt out of the sale or sharing of your personal information. To exercise these rights, please contact us at membership@suboptic.org.

You can also opt out of interest-based advertising by visiting the Network Advertising Initiative opt-out page at optout.networkadvertising.org or the Digital Advertising Alliance opt-out at optout.aboutads.info.

6.4 Browser-Level Controls

Most browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can typically:

View cookies stored on your device;
Delete individual or all cookies;
Block cookies from specific websites or all websites;
Set your browser to notify you when a website attempts to set a cookie.

Please note that restricting cookies at browser level may affect the functionality of suboptic.org, including your ability to access the member community platform.

Guidance on managing cookies in popular browsers:

Google Chrome: support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647
Mozilla Firefox: support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/cookies-information-websites-store-on-your-computer
Apple Safari: support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/safari/sfri11471/mac
Microsoft Edge: support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/delete-cookies-in-microsoft-edge

7. Google Consent Mode

Consent Pro supports Google Consent Mode v2, which allows us to communicate your consent preferences directly to Google's services (including Google Analytics and Google Ads). Where you decline analytics or marketing cookies, Google Consent Mode ensures that Google's services operate in a limited, cookieless mode rather than being blocked entirely, maintaining basic measurement while respecting your privacy preferences.

8. Cookie Retention and Consent Records

Consent Pro automatically stores a record of your consent decision, including:

The date and time your consent was given or withdrawn;
The categories of cookies you accepted or rejected;
A record of the version of this Cookie Policy that was in place at the time.

These consent records are retained for [12 months / the duration required by applicable law] and may be used to demonstrate regulatory compliance if required.

9. Changes to This Cookie Policy

We review this Cookie Policy periodically and update it as necessary, including when new cookies or technologies are introduced to our Website following a Consent Pro site scan. The 'Last Reviewed' date at the top of this page indicates when this policy was most recently updated.

Where changes are material, we will notify you via a refreshed consent banner managed through Consent Pro, which will ask you to review and re-confirm your preferences.

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy or how we use cookies on suboptic.org, please contact us:

SubOptic Association

Email: membership@suboptic.org

Website: suboptic.org

Postal Address: 27 Old Gloucester Street, London, England, WC1N 3AX

If you are in the UK and wish to make a complaint about how we use cookies, you may contact the Information Commissioner's Office: ico.org.uk/concerns

This policy was prepared with reference to the UK ICO Cookie Guidance (2023), EU ePrivacy Directive (2002/58/EC), and the CCPA/CPRA. It should be reviewed by a qualified legal adviser before publication.

‍