1. Introduction
Adam Smith International Ltd and its group (“ASI”, “we”, “us”, “our”) uses cookies and similar tracking technologies when you visit our website at www.adamsmithinternational.com (the “Website”). This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are, what we use them for, and how you can manage your preferences.
This policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy, which provides further information about how we collect and process personal data. Our Privacy Policy is available here.
If you have any questions about this policy, please contact us at compliance@adamsmithinternational.com.
2. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently, to improve user experience, and to provide information to website operators.
Cookies can be:
- Session cookies: temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser.
- Persistent cookies: cookies that remain on your device for a set period of time or until you delete them.
- First-party cookies: set by ASI directly.
- Third-party cookies: set by a third party whose services we have embedded in our Website (for example, analytics providers).
3. Categories of Cookies We Use
We use the following categories of cookies on our Website:
3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for the Website to function. They enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. You cannot opt out of strictly necessary cookies as the Website cannot function properly without them.
Lawful basis: Legitimate interest (ensuring the secure and effective operation of our Website). Consent is not required for strictly necessary cookies under the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR).
3.2 Functional Cookies
These cookies allow the Website to remember choices you make (such as your language preference or region) and provide enhanced, more personalised features.
Lawful basis: Consent.
3.3 Analytics and Performance Cookies
These cookies collect information about how visitors use our website, including which pages are visited most often and whether visitors receive error messages. All information collected is aggregated and therefore anonymous. We use this information to improve how the Website works.
Lawful basis: Consent.
3.4 Marketing and Targeting Cookies
These cookies are used to deliver advertisements that are more relevant to you and your interests. They are also used to limit the number of times you see an advertisement and to help measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns. They are usually placed by advertising networks with our permission.
Lawful basis: Consent.
4. Cookies We Use
The table below reflects known and commonly deployed cookies based on ASI’s current technology stack (adamsmithinternational.com, ASI.online). Any additional cookies identified should be added to this table when policy is reviewed.
4.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Category | Duration | Type |
| PHPSESSID / session_id | ASI | Maintains user session state across pages. Required for the Website to function. | Strictly Necessary | Session | First-party |
| csrf_token | ASI | Protects against cross-site request forgery attacks. | Strictly Necessary | Session | First-party |
| cookie_consent | ASI | Stores your cookie consent preferences, so you are not asked repeatedly. | Strictly Necessary | 12 months | First-party |
4.2 Functional Cookies
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Category | Duration | Type |
| lang | ASI | Remembers your language preference. | Functional | 12 months | First-party |
| gleap_* | Gleap | Enables the in-browser support widget, including chat history and user feedback submissions. | Functional | Session / Persistent | Third-party |
4.3 Analytics and Performance Cookies
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Category | Duration | Type |
| _ga | Google Analytics | Registers a unique ID to generate statistical data on how you use the Website. | Analytics | 2 years | Third-party |
| _ga_[ID] | Google Analytics | Used by Google Analytics 4 to persist session state. | Analytics | 2 years | Third-party |
| _gid | Google Analytics | Registers a unique ID used to generate statistical data on how you use the Website. | Analytics | 24 hours | Third-party |
| _gat / _dc_gtm_* | Google Tag Manager | Used to throttle request rate. | Analytics | 1 minute | Third-party |
4.4 Marketing and Targeting Cookies
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Category | Duration | Type |
| _fbp | Meta (Facebook) | Used by Meta to deliver advertising or track visits across websites using Meta advertising. | Marketing | 3 months | Third-party |
| li_fat_id | Used for LinkedIn Insight Tag conversions and retargeting. | Marketing | 30 days | Third-party |
4.5 ASI OS Platform Cookies (asi.online)
The following cookies are set by the ASI OS platform (asi.online), which is an internal operational system accessible only to authenticated ASI staff and authorised contractors. These cookies operate separately from those on the public website.
Note: This inventory is based on the known technology stack of ASI OS (Bubble.io, Cloudflare CDN). It should be validated by running a cookie scan tool (such as Cookiebot or CookieYes) against the live platform, and updated to reflect any additional cookies identified.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Category | Duration | Type |
| bubble_session | Bubble.io | Maintains authenticated user session within ASI OS. Deleted on browser close. | Strictly Necessary | Session | First-party |
| bubble_user_token | Bubble.io | Stores encrypted user identity token for ‘remember me’ functionality. | Strictly Necessary | Persistent (30d) | First-party |
| __cf_bm | Cloudflare | Bot management. Distinguishes humans from automated traffic to protect the platform. | Strictly Necessary | 30 minutes | Third-party |
| __cflb | Cloudflare | Load balancing. Routes requests from the same user to the same server during a session. | Strictly Necessary | Session | Third-party |
| _ga / _ga_* | Google Analytics | Distinguishes users and tracks usage patterns within ASI OS. Only present if Google Analytics is enabled. | Analytics | 2 years | Third-party |
| _gid | Google Analytics | Distinguishes users within a 24-hour window. Companion to _ga. | Analytics | 24 hours | Third-party |
Because ASI OS is an internal business system, strictly necessary cookies cannot be disabled without preventing access to the platform. Analytics cookies on ASI OS, where present, are used solely to support platform improvement and do not collect personally identifiable information.
5. How to Manage Your Cookie Preferences
When you first visit our Website, you will be presented with a cookie banner that allows you to accept or decline non-essential cookies. You can change your preferences at any time by clicking the “Cookie Settings” link in the footer of our Website.
In addition to our cookie consent tool, you can control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:
- View cookies stored on your device and delete them individually or in bulk.
- Block third-party cookies.
- Block all cookies from being set.
- Delete all cookies when you close your browser.
Please be aware that restricting cookies may impact the functionality of our Website. For guidance on how to manage cookies in specific browsers, please visit:
- Google Chrome: support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647
- Mozilla Firefox: support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/cookies-information-websites-store-on-your-computer
- Safari: support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/safari/sfri11471/mac
- Microsoft Edge: support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/view-cookies-in-microsoft-edge
To opt out of Google Analytics tracking across all websites, you can install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on, available at: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
6. Cookies and International Data Transfers
Some of the third-party cookies described in this policy involve the transfer of personal data outside the United Kingdom, for example to servers operated by Google or Meta in the United States. Where such transfers occur, we ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place in accordance with UK GDPR, including standard contractual clauses or reliance on the UK adequacy framework where applicable.
For further information about how we handle international data transfers, please see our Privacy Policy at [LINK].
7. Updates to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the cookies we use, changes in legislation, or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. We will post any changes on this page with an updated version date. We encourage you to check this page periodically to stay informed about our use of cookies.
This policy was last updated in May 2026.
8. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy or our use of cookies, please contact us:
Email: compliance@adamsmithinternational.com
DPO email: dpo@adamsmithinternational.com
Post: Adam Smith International Ltd, 16-18 New Bridge Street, London EC4V 6AG, United Kingdom
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at www.ico.org.uk if you believe your data protection rights have not been observed.
