What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They help the site remember your actions and preferences over time. We use cookies to keep you logged in, remember your settings, understand how the site is used, and track affiliate referrals.
Types of Cookies We Use
Essential / Strictly Necessary
Purpose: Authentication, session management, security, and core site functionality.
Examples: Session ID, CSRF token, authentication token
Lawful basis: Required for the service to function — no consent needed (ePrivacy Directive Art. 5(3); CCPA 'necessary' exemption).
Preference Cookies
Purpose: Remember your settings such as language, accessibility preferences, and theme.
Examples: Theme (light/dark), font size, language
Lawful basis: Consent (GDPR Art. 6(1)(a); ePrivacy Directive Art. 5(3)).
Analytics Cookies
Purpose: Understand how visitors use the site so we can improve it. We do not use analytics to identify individuals.
Examples: Page views, session duration, referrer
Lawful basis: Consent (GDPR Art. 6(1)(a); ePrivacy Directive Art. 5(3)). Anonymised or pseudonymised.
Affiliate Tracking Cookies
Purpose: Track clicks on affiliate links so we can attribute referrals correctly.
Examples: Affiliate referral ID
Lawful basis: Consent (GDPR Art. 6(1)(a); ePrivacy Directive Art. 5(3)).
Third-Party Cookies
Purpose: Set by external services we integrate with (e.g., Stripe for payments, Google reCAPTCHA for security).
Examples: Stripe session, reCAPTCHA token
Lawful basis: Set by the third party under their own privacy policy. Essential ones (Stripe, reCAPTCHA) do not require consent.
How to Manage or Disable Cookies
You have several options for controlling cookies:
- • Cookie banner: Use the "Refuse Non-Essential" button on the cookie banner to block optional cookies. You can change this at any time by clearing your browser's cookie storage for this site.
- • Browser settings: All major browsers allow you to block or delete cookies in their privacy settings.
- • Do Not Track (DNT): If your browser sends a DNT signal, we will not set non-essential cookies.
- • Opt-out links: For third-party analytics, use the provider's opt-out link where available.
Disabling non-essential cookies may limit some features (e.g., preference memory, affiliate tracking) but will not prevent you from using the core platform.
Cookie Rules by Jurisdiction
UK & EEA
Under the ePrivacy Directive (implemented in the UK via PECR 2003 and in Ireland via S.I. 336/2011), you must consent to non-essential cookies before they are set. We use a cookie consent banner to obtain your consent. You can withdraw consent at any time.
United States
Under the FTC Act Section 5, we must be transparent about cookie practices. California (CCPA/CPRA) classifies cookie identifiers as personal information — you have the right to opt out of sale/sharing. We do not sell data. New York (SHIELD Act) requires reasonable security for cookie data.
Canada
Under PIPEDA, cookies that collect personal information require meaningful consent. Quebec's Law 25 requires explicit consent for tracking technologies. We obtain consent via our cookie banner.
Australia
Under the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles, cookies that collect personal information require consent. The OAIC guidance recommends a clear cookie banner with opt-out capability.
New Zealand
Under the Privacy Act 2020, cookies that collect personal information must be handled in accordance with the Information Privacy Principles. We obtain consent via our cookie banner.