Cookies Policy

1. Our Approach to Cookies

ASG Forensics is designed with privacy as a first principle. We operate within a professional context in which client confidentiality, operational security, and data minimisation are not optional niceties — they are essential requirements. Our approach to cookies reflects this: we use the minimum number of cookies necessary to provide a functional, secure experience, and we use nothing more. We do not install tracking cookies, advertising cookies, social media cookies, or behavioural profiling scripts of any kind.

This policy explains what cookies we use, why we use them, what we do not use, and how you can manage cookies in your browser.

2. What Is a Cookie

A cookie is a small text file that a website places in your browser when you visit. Cookies serve many different purposes across the web — from keeping you logged in, to tracking your behaviour across multiple sites for advertising purposes. Not all cookies are equivalent in their privacy implications. This policy distinguishes clearly between the cookies that are essential to the operation of a secure authenticated session (which we use) and the broad range of tracking and profiling cookies that are common on commercial websites (which we do not use).

3. Cookies We Use

ASG Forensics uses only the following categories of cookies:

• Session cookie (authentication): When you log in to the client portal, a session cookie is created to maintain your authenticated state across page requests. This cookie contains a session identifier — a randomly generated token — not your personal data. Without this cookie, the portal cannot confirm that you are authorised to view your case files, and you would be required to re-authenticate on every page. This cookie is deleted automatically when you close your browser or log out.
• CSRF token cookie: A cross-site request forgery (CSRF) token is stored in a cookie and is required to validate form submissions and authenticated portal actions. This is a security mechanism that prevents malicious third-party websites from submitting actions on your behalf without your knowledge. The CSRF token cookie contains no personal data and is tied to your session.
• Cookie consent record: If you are presented with a cookie notice, your acknowledgement is stored in a short-lived cookie to prevent the notice from appearing on every page load. This cookie contains no personal data beyond the fact that the notice was acknowledged.

4. What We Do Not Use

The following tracking and third-party technologies are not present on the ASG Forensics website or client portal:

• Google Analytics: We do not use Google Analytics or any other web analytics platform that sends usage data to third-party servers.
• Facebook Pixel / Meta Pixel: We do not install the Facebook or Meta tracking pixel on any page of this website.
• Google Ads / remarketing tags: We do not use any Google Ads conversion tracking or remarketing scripts.
• Hotjar, Clarity, or session recording tools: We do not record or replay user sessions.
• LinkedIn Insight Tag or equivalent: We do not use professional network tracking scripts.
• Intercom, Drift, or third-party chat widgets: Any live chat functionality on this site does not involve third-party scripts that track users across websites.
• A/B testing platforms: We do not run third-party A/B testing scripts that profile users or share data externally.
• Advertising cookies of any kind: We do not serve, purchase, or facilitate targeted advertising based on user behaviour.

5. Cookie Lifetime

The session cookie and CSRF token cookie are session cookies — they exist only in memory for the duration of your browser session and are not written to persistent storage. They are automatically deleted when you close your browser tab or window, or when you actively log out of the portal. The cookie consent acknowledgement cookie has a maximum lifetime of twelve (12) months, after which it expires and the notice will be displayed again if you return to the site. No cookie set by ASG Forensics persists beyond twelve months.

6. How to Disable or Delete Cookies

You can configure your browser to refuse, block, or delete cookies at any time. Browser settings vary; the following links provide guidance for the most commonly used browsers:

• Google Chrome: Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data
• Mozilla Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
• Apple Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data
• Microsoft Edge: Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Manage and delete cookies and site data

Please note that blocking or deleting all cookies will affect the functionality of the client portal. Specifically, the session authentication cookie is required for portal login to function. If session cookies are blocked, you will not be able to access your case files, upload evidence, or communicate with your assigned analyst through the portal. The public-facing pages of the website (including this page) can be accessed without cookies.

7. Third-Party Services That May Set Cookies

ASG Forensics does not embed third-party services that set cookies as a matter of standard practice. However, if you follow an outbound link from this website — for example, to a publicly referenced resource such as a government advisory or external verification tool — the destination website may set its own cookies in accordance with its own policies. ASG Forensics has no control over cookies set by third-party websites and is not responsible for them. You should review the cookie and privacy policies of any external site you visit.

8. Privacy by Design

The absence of tracking and analytics cookies on this site reflects ASG Forensics' privacy-by-design approach. Privacy by design means that we consider data minimisation and user privacy at every stage of building and operating our services — not as an afterthought or a compliance checkbox. We do not collect data about your browsing behaviour because we do not need it to deliver our services, and because doing so would be inconsistent with the trust that clients place in us when handling sensitive case information. Our preference is always to collect the minimum data necessary for the defined purpose.

9. Changes to This Policy

This Cookies Policy will be updated if we make changes to the technologies used on this website. Any change that introduces new cookie categories will be reflected in an updated version of this page before the relevant technology is deployed. We will not introduce advertising or behavioural tracking cookies without providing prominent notice and, where applicable, obtaining consent in accordance with applicable law.