Cookie Policy
How FTO-Union uses cookies, similar technologies, and third-party services on this website.
1. Introduction
This Cookie Policy explains how Financial Trust Oversight Union ("FTO-Union", "we", "us", or "our") uses cookies and similar technologies when you visit www.fto-union.com.
It should be read alongside our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, which explain how we handle personal information more broadly.
2. What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your computer, tablet, or mobile device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work, remember preferences, improve performance, and understand how visitors use a site.
Cookies may be:
- Session cookies — deleted when you close your browser; or
- Persistent cookies — stored until they expire or you delete them.
Cookies may be set by us ("first-party cookies") or by third parties ("third-party cookies").
3. Similar technologies
In addition to cookies, our Site may use similar browser storage technologies, including:
- Session storage — temporary browser storage that clears when you close the tab or browser. We use session storage to remember recent form submission references (for example, complaint or contact confirmation details) so you can see your reference number after submitting a form.
- Local storage — longer-lived browser storage. We do not currently use local storage for tracking purposes.
- Server logs — technical records generated when you request pages from our servers, which may include IP address, browser type, and timestamps.
References to "cookies" in this policy include these similar technologies where applicable.
4. How we use cookies
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
- Strictly necessary operation: to deliver pages securely, maintain session integrity, and protect against abuse.
- Functionality: to remember choices that improve your experience, such as navigation state or recent submission references stored in session storage.
- Performance and analytics: to understand how visitors use our broker lookup tool, complaint forms, and content pages so we can improve the Site. Analytics cookies are used only where permitted by law and, where required, with your consent.
- Security: to detect unusual activity and help prevent fraud or automated abuse.
We do not use cookies to sell your personal information.
5. Cookies we use
The table below describes the main cookies and similar technologies that may be used on our Site. Actual cookies may vary depending on pages visited, browser settings, and whether analytics tools are enabled on our production environment.
| Name / type | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session / security cookies | FTO-Union / hosting provider | Maintain secure connections, load balancing, and basic site functionality | Session or up to 24 hours |
fto_last_complaint (session storage) |
FTO-Union | Stores your recent complaint reference and summary after form submission | Until browser tab/session ends |
fto_last_contact (session storage) |
FTO-Union | Stores your recent contact inquiry reference after form submission | Until browser tab/session ends |
| Google Fonts resources | Google LLC | Load web fonts used for site typography. Google may receive your IP address and browser data when fonts are requested. | Varies; see Google policies |
| Analytics cookies (if enabled) | Analytics provider (e.g. Google Analytics) | Measure page visits, traffic sources, and feature usage in aggregated form | Typically 1–24 months |
Note: At present, the public Site relies primarily on essential functionality and session storage rather than extensive advertising or profiling cookies. If we introduce additional analytics or marketing technologies, we will update this table and, where required, request your consent before placing non-essential cookies.
6. Third-party services
Some cookies and similar technologies are placed by third parties that provide services to us or support Site features, including:
- Google Fonts — we load fonts from Google servers to display our branding and typography. Google's privacy policy is available at policies.google.com/privacy.
- Hosting and infrastructure providers — may set security or performance cookies necessary to deliver the Site.
- Analytics providers — if enabled, may set cookies to help us understand Site usage. Where used, we configure analytics to minimise identification of individual visitors where possible.
Third parties may process information according to their own policies. We encourage you to review those policies.
7. Consent and your choices
Your choices depend on where you are located and the type of cookie involved.
7.1 Strictly necessary cookies
These are required for the Site to function and cannot be switched off in our systems in the same way as optional cookies. You can block them through your browser, but some parts of the Site may not work properly.
7.2 Optional analytics and non-essential cookies
Where required by law (for example, in the UK, EEA, or under certain Australian privacy expectations for non-essential tracking), we will ask for your consent before placing non-essential analytics or marketing cookies. You may withdraw consent at any time by clearing cookies, changing browser settings, or contacting us.
7.3 Browser controls
Most browsers allow you to:
- view cookies stored on your device;
- delete all or selected cookies;
- block third-party cookies;
- block all cookies; or
- receive a warning before a cookie is stored.
Useful guidance is available from your browser provider, for example:
Clearing cookies or session storage may remove saved preferences and recent submission references displayed on confirmation screens.
8. Do Not Track
Some browsers offer a "Do Not Track" (DNT) signal. There is no universal standard for how websites should respond to DNT signals. At this time, our Site does not respond differently to DNT signals, but we limit non-essential tracking and will honour applicable legal opt-out rights where required.
9. Changes to this policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, legal requirements, or our practices. When we do, we will revise the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. Material changes may be communicated through a notice on the Site or, where appropriate, through a cookie consent mechanism.
10. Contact us
If you have questions about our use of cookies or wish to exercise privacy rights related to cookie data, contact us at:
- Email: privacy@fto-union.com
- General enquiries: contact@fto-union.com
- Web form: Contact FTO-Union