Cookie policy

ScotPulse is a trading name of STV Central Limited, a company registered in Scotland with company number SC172149 and having its registered office at Pacific Quay, Glasgow, G51 1PQ (hereinafter referred to as “ScotPulse”, “we”, “us”). If you have any questions  this Cookie Policy, please email us at privacyteam@stv.tv.


This Cookie Policy applies to your use of our ScotPulse website (www.scotpulse.com) and your membership of the ScotPulse panel. When you log on to your ScotPulse account, use our website or access a ScotPulse survey through a unique link in an email invitation from us, data may be collected through the use of cookies and similar technologies (“cookies”).


This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are, the types of cookies we use on our ScotPulse website and surveys, what we use them for and how you can manage and control cookies.


By joining the ScotPulse panel and taking part in our surveys, without changing your web browser settings, we’ll assume you’re happy with the use of cookies as described in this policy. You can change your web browser settings at any time.


Please note that we reserve the right to update our Cookie Policy from time to time, so please take a fresh read through every so often. If we make significant changes, we will make that clear on our ScotPulse website, or by some other means of contact such as email.

1. What are cookies?

A cookie is a small amount of data which often contains a unique identifier that is sent to the web browser on your computer, smartphone, tablet or other electronic device (“device”) when you visit a website. If your web browser settings allow it, such cookies are stored on your device's hard drive and are read by the website on each subsequent visit.


Cookies do many different jobs. They let you move from web page to page efficiently and allow us to make your visits and use as straightforward, efficient, and enjoyable as possible.


Some cookies are erased when you close the website on your browser. Others stay longer and are saved onto your device so that they’re there when you come back.

2. What cookies do we use?

 The following types of cookies are used on our website.

  • (i) Strictly Necessary cookies are necessary to enable our website to operate properly. For example, to allow us to determine whether a panel member is logged in or not and to authenticate panel members after the initial log-in. If your device or browser is not set to receive them, aspects of our website will not work for you. The table at the end of this Cookie Policy lists the necessary cookies that are operational on our ScotPulse website.
  • (ii) Functional cookies enable your device to tell us certain details you have previously entered via our website. For example, to enable us to determine whether a survey has already been shown to a panel member, to ensure the correct survey is displayed to panel members and enable the panel members to continue the survey from the last answered question upon re-commencing the survey.


The following cookies are set on our behalf by our industry leading supplier, Forsta, who provides the functionality to host and operate our panel members register and our surveys. By logging in to your ScotPulse account, you accept that the following cookies may be used:


Type of cookie

What is it, and what does it do?

Privacy Intrusiveness Level

Forms authentication cookie

Used to determine whether a panel member is logged in or not, and to authenticate the panel member after the initial logon. This information is provided by the .Net Forms authentication cookie. 

Browser session-cookie (it is erased when you close your browser). 

Low privacy impact. 

Forms authentication cookie

Provides a panel member with the option to stay logged in if desired.

Persistent cookie (it expires by default after 14 days). 

Low privacy impact. 

The above cookies are set when you log on to your ScotPulse account. When you access a survey by clicking on the unique link in an email from us inviting you to take part in the survey, we do not set any cookies by default.

  • (iii) Analytics cookies are operated by Google Analytics on our behalf and help us learn how our website is being used. Analytics cookies allow us to collect information such as how many users have accessed our website, how often users visit the websites and what pages they visit on the website. The table at the end of this Cookie Policy lists the analytics cookies that are operational on our ScotPulse website unless you choose to reject them.
  • (iv) Other organisations’ cookies may be set on pages of our surveys where we include embedded content from other organisations like YouTube. We cannot access or control these cookies. You should check the relevant organisation’s website for information about them.

3. How can you manage and control your cookies?

By using our ScotPulse website you, accept that the cookies may be used in accordance with this Cookie Policy. Our cookie preference tools on our website, will allow you to reject analytics cookies. You can change this setting at any time using the preference tool at the bottom of this Cookie Policy provided by Cookiebot. We don’t allow you to disable strictly necessary cookies but you can block most cookies by activating the settings on your web browser that allow you to refuse the setting of some or all cookies. However, if you block all cookies, you may not be able to access all or parts of our website, or you may experience reduced functionality. Unless you have adjusted your web browser settings so that it will refuse cookies, our system will issue cookies as soon as you visit our website.

The links below take you to the website of some of the major browsers where you can find out more about how to manage cookies they set.

With new devices being created all the time, including tablets and phones, it is not possible to list every web browser for every device. It may be best to consult the manufacturer’s websites for further instructions regarding cookies.


4. Finding out more

To find out more about cookies, including how to disable or enable them visit www.aboutcookies.org.uk. If you would like more information on our use of cookies, you can always contact privacyteam@stv.tv. 

Last updated 19 December 2024.