Cookie Policy

This Cookie Policy explains the small text files and comparable technologies that dralvon.info uses when a reader visits the site, and it should be read together with our Privacy Policy. It describes what each cookie does, how long it remains on a device, and how a reader can accept, decline or later withdraw a cookie choice. It applies to every page on this domain, including the DralVis product pages, and it is written for readers based in South Africa.

1. Scope of this policy

This policy covers cookies and similar local-storage technologies set directly by dralvon.info when a page is loaded, and it covers the categories of cookies that may be set by an embedded third-party service, such as the map shown on our contact page. It does not describe cookies set by external websites a reader chooses to visit after following a link from our site, since those are governed by the linked site's own notice. Where a browser or device setting affects how cookies behave, that setting is controlled by the reader's browser software rather than by us.

2. What a cookie is and why we use them

A cookie is a small file stored by a browser on a reader's device that allows a website to recognise the same browser on a later visit. We use cookies for three narrow purposes: to keep a browsing session working correctly while a reader moves between pages, to remember a cookie preference so the consent banner does not reappear unnecessarily, and, where a reader agrees, to understand in aggregate terms which pages are read most often. We do not use cookies on this site to build an individual advertising profile or to track a reader across unrelated websites.

3. Strictly necessary cookies

The cookie named dralvon_session is set when a reader begins browsing and supports basic technical functions, such as maintaining a consistent page state while navigating the site. It is classified as strictly necessary because the site's basic pages would not function correctly without it, and for that reason it is set automatically and cannot be declined through the cookie banner. It is a session cookie, meaning it is removed automatically when the browser is closed, and it does not contain a reader's name, email address or message content.

4. Preference cookies

The cookie named dralvon_consent records whether a reader has accepted, rejected, or customised optional cookies through the banner shown on first visit. This cookie is stored for up to 12 months so that the choice is remembered across return visits, after which the banner will be shown again to confirm the preference is still current. A second preference cookie, dralvon_lang, may store a reader's selected language display setting for up to 6 months where language options are offered on the site.

5. Analytics cookies

Where a reader affirmatively accepts optional cookies, a cookie named dralvon_analytics_id is set to help our website analytics provider distinguish one browser session from another when compiling aggregate visit statistics, such as how many readers viewed the DralVis A+Zinc page in a given month. This cookie is retained for up to 13 months from the most recent visit and is then renewed only if the reader continues to accept analytics cookies. The statistics produced from this cookie are reviewed in aggregate and are not used to identify a specific individual.

6. Cookies that are not currently used

dralvon.info does not currently set advertising or cross-site retargeting cookies, and it does not use cookies to share browsing activity with social media platforms for advertising purposes. If this changes in the future, this policy will be updated in advance of any such cookie being set, and the consent banner will be updated to reflect the new category before it takes effect.

7. How consent is obtained

On a reader's first visit, a banner is shown offering three choices: accepting all optional cookies, rejecting optional cookies while keeping strictly necessary ones active, or opening cookie settings to make a more granular choice. Optional cookies, such as the analytics cookie described in section 5, are set only after an affirmative choice is made; they are not set by default while the banner is pending a decision. Declining optional cookies does not prevent a reader from accessing any editorial page, product page or policy page on this site.

8. Withdrawing consent

A reader who has previously accepted optional cookies may withdraw that consent at any time by clearing site data for dralvon.info in their browser settings, which removes the dralvon_consent and dralvon_analytics_id cookies and causes the banner to reappear on the next visit. A reader may also write to [email protected] to request that any analytics identifier associated with their browsing be disregarded going forward, and we will action such a request within 10 business days.

9. Third parties and embedded content

The contact page on this site includes an embedded map used to show our Durban address. That embedded map is served by a third-party mapping provider and may set its own cookies under its own privacy and cookie notices, which are not controlled by Dralvon Health (Pty) Ltd. Where our website analytics provider or hosting provider processes information gathered through the cookies described above, they do so under written terms limiting their use of that information to the service they provide to us, consistent with the description of processors in our Privacy Policy.

10. International handling of cookie data

Aggregate analytics data derived from the dralvon_analytics_id cookie may be processed on infrastructure located outside South Africa, including within the European Union, by our website analytics provider. Where this occurs, we rely on that provider's contractual data protection commitments and assess whether the destination offers a level of protection broadly consistent with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 before relying on the transfer, in the same manner described for other cross-border processing in our Privacy Policy.

11. Browser controls

Most browsers allow a reader to view, delete or block cookies through their settings menu, and many browsers allow cookies to be blocked selectively by website. Blocking or deleting the dralvon_session cookie may cause some pages to behave inconsistently while browsing, although it will not prevent a reader from reading published articles. Because browser controls are managed by the browser manufacturer rather than by Dralvon Health (Pty) Ltd, we recommend consulting the specific browser's help documentation for exact steps.

12. Complaints and questions

Questions about this policy, or a request to review how a specific cookie has been applied to a reader's visit, can be sent to Dralvon Health (Pty) Ltd, 12 Anton Lembede Street, Durban Central, 4001 Durban, or by email to [email protected]. We aim to acknowledge such queries within 5 business days and to respond substantively within 20 business days. A reader who remains concerned about how cookie-derived information has been handled may also raise the matter with the Information Regulator of South Africa.

13. Revision history

2 September 2026: this policy was substantially expanded to name each cookie individually, to state specific retention periods, and to add a dedicated section on international handling of analytics data. 18 April 2026: the language preference cookie, dralvon_lang, was documented following the addition of display language options. 4 November 2025: the original short-form cookie notice was first published alongside the launch of dralvon.info. Cookie names and lifespans described here reflect the technologies in use as at the date of the most recent entry above.