Last updated 10 November 2026.
This policy explains what cookies and similar technologies run on usethegeeks.co.uk, why, and how you can control them. It sits alongside our privacy policy. The website is run by Use The Geeks Ltd, trading as Use The Geeks; our contact details are on the contact page.
The short version: we set no cookies of our own. Cookies come only from Google’s adverts, and only on the phone number checker pages and phone scam guides, and Google asks for your consent first. We do not use analytics cookies.
What these technologies are
A cookie is a small text file a website saves on your device. “Similar technologies” include browser storage, which works in much the same way. Under the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) we need your consent before we use them, unless they are strictly necessary to give you something you asked for, or you ask for the setting yourself (such as closing a banner).
What is used on this site
Advertising (needs your consent)
| Who | Where | What it does | Examples | Typical life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google (AdSense and its advertising partners) | Only the phone number checker pages and the phone scam guides | Shows adverts, limits repeats, measures performance and fraud, and, if you agree, personalises adverts. | __gads, __gpi, IDE and other Google identifiers | Up to about 13 months. Google decides this and may change it. |
Adverts do not appear on our homepage, service pages, quote forms, company pages or business guides, and Google’s advertising code is not loaded there.
These cookies are set by Google and its partners, not by us. How Google uses them is explained in Google’s cookies guidance and How Google uses information from sites or apps that use its services.
Temporary browser storage (no cookies)
| Name | Where | What it does | Life |
|---|---|---|---|
utg_qs (session storage) | Quote forms | A random code that links the saved steps of one quote form together, so unfinished forms are not saved twice. See “Quote forms and unfinished forms” in the privacy policy. | Until you close the tab. |
b2b-sticky-dismissed, mp-sticky-dismissed (session storage) | Business guides and the business mobiles page | Remembers that you closed the “Get a quote” bar so it does not come back on the next page. | Until you close the tab. |
What we do not use
- No analytics or statistics cookies (we count visits from our server logs instead).
- No social media plug-ins or share buttons that load other companies’ code. The social icons in the footer are ordinary links.
- No marketing or retargeting cookies of our own.
Files loaded from other services
Every page loads a standard script library from a content delivery network used by our website platform (Webflow, through Amazon CloudFront). It does not need cookies from us, but that service can see your IP address and browser type when it delivers the file.
How to control them
- On the adverts: on pages with adverts you will see a consent message provided through Google where you can accept, refuse or manage your choices. To change an earlier answer, follow the steps under “Privacy and cookie settings” just below.
- Personalised adverts: use Google’s Ad Settings, or aboutads.info/choices and youronlinechoices.com for other advertising companies.
- In your browser: you can block or delete cookies and site storage in your browser settings. The ICO’s guide is at ico.org.uk/for-the-public/online/cookies and aboutcookies.org shows how for each browser.
Privacy and cookie settings
To change a choice you made earlier on Google’s consent message:
- Delete the cookies and site data for usethegeeks.co.uk, and Google’s advertising cookies, in your browser settings, then reload a page with adverts. You will be asked again.
- Turn personalised adverts off in Google’s Ad Settings.
- Or email info@usethegeeks.co.uk and we will help.
If you refuse advertising cookies the whole site still works. You may still see adverts, but they will be less personalised or not personalised, and they will not be based on your visits to other sites.
Changes
If we add or remove anything that is set on your device we will update this page and the date at the top. Questions can go to info@usethegeeks.co.uk.