Cookie Policy
Last updated: 14 October 2026
This policy explains how The Investment Association ("IA", "we", "us") uses cookies and similar technologies on this platform (the "Platform").
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website or use a web application. They are widely used to make websites work efficiently, provide a better user experience, and supply information to site operators.
Similar technologies include local storage (a browser mechanism for storing data on your device) and session storage (temporary data that persists only for the duration of your browser session).
Cookies We Use
This Platform uses a small number of cookies and local/session storage items. We do not use advertising cookies, social media tracking cookies, targeting cookies or third-party analytics cookies.
Strictly necessary (functional)
These are essential for the Platform to function and cannot be switched off.
| Name | Purpose | Type | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
member_session | Keeps members signed in to the Platform after they sign in with their theia.org account | Cookie (HTTP-only) | 7 days |
preview_access | Keeps IA staff signed in to the Platform after they sign in through the Microsoft admin sign-in | Cookie (HTTP-only) | 7 days |
msal.* | Keeps authorised IA staff and consultants signed in to the administrative area via Microsoft Entra ID. Only set if you sign in to the admin panel | Session storage | Session |
Preferences
These remember choices you have made so you do not have to set them again.
| Name | Purpose | Type | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
theme | Stores your light/dark mode preference | Local storage | Persistent |
Feature storage (Present mode)
These cookies enable Present mode to work without requiring you to create an account.
| Name | Purpose | Type | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
ims_presentations | Stores the IDs, edit keys, and titles of presentations you have built, so you can find and edit them again on this device | Local storage | Persistent |
2.4 First-party analytics
We run our own, self-hosted analytics. We do not use Google Analytics or any other third-party analytics service. This is used solely to understand how the Platform is used, in aggregate, so we can improve it; it is not used to build individual user profiles or make decisions about users and we do not share analytics data with third parties.
Because it is used only for this statistical purpose, we do not need your consent to use it, but we still tell you about it here, and you can switch it off at any time, free of charge, using the on/off control provided on the live Cookie Policy page at intelligence.theia.org/cookie-policy
Your preference takes effect immediately and does not require you to change your browser settings.
The Platform may separately analyse AI queries server-side to understand, for example, the topics, reports, data points and industry themes users are interested in. That processing is described in our Privacy Policy at intelligence.theia.org/privacy-policy and is not carried out through the ims_session_id analytics storage unless expressly stated otherwise.
| Name | Purpose | Type | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
ims_session_id | A randomly generated pseudonymous session identifier (not linked to your name or IP address). It is used to group page views (page path, referrer, device/browser information, and time on page) for the duration of your visit on the Platform, so we can understand how the Platform is used | Session storage | Session |
Third-Party Cookies
This Platform does not set third-party cookies. AI processing is performed server-side, and our AI and web-search providers do not set cookies on your device, although when you use those features, your query or presentation text is sent to them as described in our Privacy Policy (sections 4.1 and 4.3) at intelligence.theia.org/privacy-policy.
The use of OpenRouter, underlying AI model providers, OpenAI and Tavily does not currently involve those providers placing cookies or other storage technologies directly on your device through the Platform.
Information may nevertheless be transmitted to those providers server-side when you use the relevant AI or web-search features. Further information about this processing, including international transfers, is set out in our Privacy Policy.
How to Manage Cookies
For our first-party analytics (section 2.4), the quickest way to opt out is the on-page toggle. It takes effect immediately and does not depend on your browser or device settings.
Where we rely on an exception under the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 that requires us to provide a means of objecting, such as the statistical purposes or appearance exception, we will provide a simple and free mechanism through the Platform where required.
For everything else, most web browsers also allow you to control cookies and local storage through their own settings. You can:
- View and delete cookies already stored on your device
- Block all cookies or only third-party cookies
- Set your browser to notify you when a cookie is being set
- Clear local storage and session storage through your browser's developer tools
Please note that blocking or deleting cookies may affect the functionality of the Platform. In particular, deleting the theme preference will reset your display to the default mode, and deleting the member_session or preview_access cookie will sign you out of the Platform.
Deleting local storage associated with Present mode may also remove the locally stored IDs and edit keys used to find and edit presentations from that device. It does not necessarily delete the presentation itself from our servers. See our Privacy Policy at intelligence.theia.org/privacy-policy and Terms of Use at intelligence.theia.org/terms-of-use for further information about Present mode.
For instructions on managing cookies in your browser, visit: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, and Microsoft Edge support pages.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this cookie policy from time to time to reflect changes in the cookies we use or for operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. Please revisit this page periodically to stay informed. Where appropriate, we may also bring material changes to your attention through the Platform.
Contact
If you have questions about our use of cookies, please contact us:
- By email: members@theia.org
- By post: The Investment Association, 10 Norton Folgate, London, E1 6DB
- By telephone: +44 20 7831 0898
Further Information
For more information about cookies generally, visit www.allaboutcookies.org or www.aboutcookies.org. For details on how we handle your personal data, see our Privacy Policy at intelligence.theia.org/privacy-policy.