Introduction

Definitions

Categories

Legal Basis

Consent

Preferences

Transfers

Retention

Rights

Minors

Changes

Contact

  1. Introduction

This Cookie Policy is issued by Bee Interviewed Limited, a company incorporated in Ireland, trading as AcornCloud ("AcornCloud", "we", "us", "our"). Our registered contact address for data matters is legal@acorncloud.net.

This policy governs the use of cookies and similar tracking technologies on the AcornCloud website (acorncloud.net) and the AcornCloud software platform (acorncloud.app), collectively referred to as the "Services". It applies to all visitors, users, crèche operators, childcare professionals, and parents who access or interact with our Services.

This Cookie Policy forms an integral part of our Privacy Policy. Where cookies involve the processing of personal data, the lawful basis and retention periods applicable to that data are also addressed in our Privacy Policy, which you should read in conjunction with this document.

We reserve the right to update this Cookie Policy at any time. Material changes will be communicated via notice on our Services or by direct notification where required by law. Continued use of our Services following any update constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

Questions about this Policy? Contact our Data Protection team at privacy@acorncloud.net

  1. What Are Cookies and Similar Technologies?

2.1 Cookies

A cookie is a small text file placed on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile) by a website when you visit it. Cookies are stored and managed by your web browser. They cannot execute code, carry viruses, or access information on your hard drive beyond what they were designed to store. Cookies serve a wide range of functions, from keeping you logged in to measuring how our Services perform.

2.2 Session Cookies vs. Persistent Cookies

Session cookies exist only for the duration of your browsing session and are deleted automatically when you close your browser. They are used to maintain continuity within a single visit, such as keeping you authenticated as you move between pages.

Persistent cookies remain on your device after your browser session ends, until they expire according to a pre-set duration or until you manually delete them. These cookies allow us to recognise you on return visits and remember your preferences.

2.3 First-Party vs. Third-Party Cookies

First-party cookies are set directly by AcornCloud and are only readable by us. They are used to support core platform functionality and improve your experience.

Third-party cookies are set by external service providers whose technology we have integrated into our Services (for example, analytics or advertising platforms). These third parties operate under their own privacy and cookie policies, and AcornCloud is not responsible for third-party cookie practices beyond the disclosures made in this policy.

2.4 Other Tracking Technologies

In addition to cookies, we may use other technologies that serve similar purposes, including:

  • Pixel tags (also known as web beacons or clear GIFs): Tiny transparent image files embedded in web pages or emails that allow us to track user behaviour, measure campaign performance, and verify content delivery.

  • Local storage: Browser-based storage that allows data to persist beyond session cookies, used to improve platform responsiveness.

  • Device fingerprinting: Aggregated non-personal technical signals (browser type, screen resolution, etc.) used for fraud prevention and security purposes only.

All references to "cookies" in this policy should be understood to include these similar technologies where applicable.

  1. Categories of Cookies We Use

3.1. Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly necessary cookies are essential to the operation of our Services. Without them, core features such as logging in, navigating between pages, completing transactions, and maintaining session security cannot function. These cookies do not require your consent under applicable law, including the EU ePrivacy Directive and Irish data protection legislation.

Strictly necessary cookies used by AcornCloud include those that:

  • Manage and authenticate user login sessions securely

  • Record and enforce your cookie consent choices (GDPR compliance)

  • Protect against cross-site request forgery (CSRF) and other security threats

  • Maintain continuity of your session as you navigate the platform

  • Enable our support chat and critical user interface components to load correctly

You cannot opt out of strictly necessary cookies via our consent management tools. If you disable them via your browser settings, our Services will not function correctly.

3.2 Analytical / Performance Cookies

Analytical cookies collect aggregated, anonymised information about how visitors use our Services. This data helps us understand usage patterns, identify errors, measure feature adoption, and make evidence-based improvements. No personally identifiable information is shared with analytics providers in a way that allows individual users to be identified.

These cookies are only activated with your explicit consent. You may withdraw consent at any time through our cookie preference centre.

3.3 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies allow our Services to remember choices you have made in order to deliver a more personalised experience. Examples include your preferred language, display settings, or saved configurations within the platform. While not strictly essential, these cookies meaningfully enhance your user experience.

Functional cookies require your consent and can be managed through our cookie preference centre.

3.4 Marketing and Targeting Cookies

Marketing cookies are used to track your activity across websites and platforms to build a profile of your interests and serve you relevant advertising and promotional content. These cookies may be set by third-party advertising networks we work with and may link data across multiple domains.

Marketing cookies require your explicit consent. If you decline marketing cookies, you will still see advertising, but it will be less relevant to you. We will never share data derived from marketing cookies with third parties for purposes other than those described in this policy.

  1. How we share your data

7.1 AcornCloud Cookie Preference Centre

You can review, update, or withdraw your cookie preferences at any time by accessing our Cookie Preference Centre, available via the "Cookie Settings" link in the footer of our website. From there, you can accept or reject individual categories of non-essential cookies.

Please note that withdrawing consent for certain functional cookies may affect how our Services perform for you.

7.2 Browser-Level Controls

All major browsers provide settings that allow you to refuse, delete, or be notified before cookies are placed. The process for managing cookies varies between 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

Please be aware that blocking all cookies at the browser level will prevent strictly necessary cookies from functioning, which will impair your ability to use core features of our Services, including login and secure sessions.

7.3 Opting Out of Third-Party Marketing

For cookies placed by third-party advertising platforms such as Meta and LinkedIn, you may also manage your preferences directly through those platforms or through industry opt-out frameworks including:

  • Your Online Choices (EU): youronlinechoices.eu

  • Digital Advertising Alliance: optout.aboutads.info

AcornCloud is not responsible for and cannot guarantee the effectiveness of opt-out mechanisms operated by third parties.

7. International Data Transfers

Some of the third-party cookie providers we use may transfer data outside the European Economic Area (EEA), including to the United States. Where this occurs, AcornCloud ensures that appropriate safeguards are in place as required by Chapter V of the GDPR, including:

  • Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) approved by the European Commission

  • Transfers to countries benefitting from an EU adequacy decision

  • Binding Corporate Rules (BCRs) where applicable

You may request details of the safeguards in place for any specific third-party transfer by contacting us at legal@acorncloud.net.

8. Cookie Retention Periods

Retention periods for individual cookies vary by type and provider. As a general principle:

  • Session cookies: Deleted when you close your browser

  • Persistent first-party cookies: Retained for up to 24 months, unless you delete them or withdraw consent earlier

  • Third-party cookies: Governed by the retention schedules of the respective providers, as disclosed in their own policies

Full retention periods for each specific cookie are listed in the Cookie Declaration accessible via our cookie banner. We review retention periods periodically and align them with the minimum necessary to fulfil the stated purpose.

9. Your Data Protection Rights

As a data subject under the GDPR and Irish data protection law, you have the following rights in relation to personal data processed through cookies:

  • Right of access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you

  • Right to erasure: Request deletion of your personal data where no lawful basis exists for continued processing

  • Right to restrict processing: Ask us to limit how we use your data

  • Right to object: Object to processing carried out on the basis of legitimate interests

  • Right to data portability: Receive your personal data in a structured, machine-readable format

  • Right to withdraw consent: Withdraw consent for non-essential cookies at any time

To exercise any of these rights, please contact our Data Protection function at legal@acorncloud.net. We will respond within the timeframes prescribed by applicable law (generally 30 days). You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Data Protection Commission of Ireland (dataprotection.ie).

10. Cookies and Minors

AcornCloud's platform is not directed at children under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal data from minors through cookies. Where our Services are accessed by parents or guardians on behalf of children enrolled in childcare settings, data relating to those children is processed only as necessary for the operation of the childcare management software and is subject to our full Privacy Policy and applicable GDPR obligations including data minimisation and purpose limitation.

Childcare operators using AcornCloud are independently responsible for ensuring that any consent obtained from parents or guardians covers the processing activities described in this policy as they relate to child-linked records.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may amend this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, regulation, or our business practices. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this document will always indicate when changes were last made.

Where changes are material, we will provide advance notice through our Services or via email. For non-material changes (such as updating the cookie inventory table), the revised policy will take effect upon publication. We encourage you to review this page periodically to stay informed.

12. Contact Us and How to Raise a Concern

AcornCloud is committed to resolving data protection queries and concerns promptly and transparently. If you have any questions about this Policy, about how we handle your personal data, or wish to exercise any of your rights, please contact us using the details below.

Data Controller

Bee Interviewed Limited (trading as AcornCloud)
privacy@acorncloud.net
acorncloud.app

Supervisory Authority

Data Protection Commission (Ireland)
www.dataprotection.ie
info@dataprotection.ie

If you believe we have not adequately addressed your concern, you have the right to contact the Data Protection Commission of Ireland or the supervisory authority in your country of residence or work at any time. Contact details for all EU supervisory authorities are available at edpb.europa.eu.