1. Introduction

This Cookie Policy explains how this website (the "Website") uses cookies and similar technologies such as local storage to enhance your experience. This policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy, which provides more detail on how we handle data generally.

We believe in transparency and want you to understand exactly what technologies we use, why we use them, and what choices you have.

2. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and to provide information to website owners.

Cookies can be:

First-party cookies: Set by the website you are visiting
Third-party cookies: Set by a different website (such as an analytics provider)
Session cookies: Temporary cookies that are deleted when you close your browser
Persistent cookies: Cookies that remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them

3. Local Storage vs. Cookies

Our Website primarily uses browser local storage rather than traditional cookies for storing your preferences. Local storage is similar to cookies but with some important differences:

Local storage data is stored only on your device and is NOT automatically sent to our servers with each request
Local storage provides more storage capacity than cookies
Local storage data does not expire automatically but remains until you clear it

This approach enhances your privacy because your preferences stay on your device and are not transmitted to us.

4. Technologies We Use

4.1 Strictly Necessary Local Storage

These are essential for the Website to function properly. They cannot be disabled without affecting site functionality.

Name	Purpose	Duration
theme	Stores your light/dark mode preference so the site displays in your chosen theme	Persistent (until cleared)
comparison-store	Stores the countries you have selected for comparison, so you can continue your research across sessions	Persistent (until cleared)
wizard-store	Stores your progress in the "Find My Destination" wizard, so you don't lose your selections if you navigate away	Persistent (until cleared)

4.2 Analytics Cookies (If Enabled)

We may use analytics services to understand how visitors interact with our Website. If analytics are enabled, the following cookies may be set:

Name	Provider	Purpose	Duration
_ga	Google Analytics	Distinguishes unique users by assigning a randomly generated number as a client identifier	2 years
_ga_*	Google Analytics	Used to persist session state	2 years
_gid	Google Analytics	Distinguishes users	24 hours

Note: If we use Google Analytics, we configure it to:

Anonymize IP addresses before storage
Disable data sharing with Google for advertising purposes
Limit data retention to the minimum period necessary

4.3 What We Do NOT Use

We do NOT use cookies or similar technologies for the following purposes:

Advertising: No advertising cookies, pixels, or trackers
Marketing: No retargeting or remarketing technologies
Social media tracking: No social media plugins that track your activity
Cross-site tracking: No tracking of your activity across different websites
User profiling: No building of profiles based on your behavior

5. Managing Your Preferences

5.1 Clearing Local Storage

You can clear the data stored in local storage at any time. Here's how:

Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Clear browsing data → Select "Cookies and other site data" → Clear data
Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data → Clear Data
Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data → Remove
Edge: Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Choose what to clear → Cookies and other site data → Clear now

Please note: Clearing local storage will reset your theme preference, remove your saved comparison selections, and clear any wizard progress.

5.2 Managing Cookies Through Browser Settings

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can typically:

View what cookies are stored on your device
Delete some or all cookies
Block all cookies
Block third-party cookies only
Clear cookies when you close your browser

Here are links to cookie management instructions for common browsers:

5.3 Opting Out of Analytics

If you wish to opt out of analytics tracking, you can:

Use browser extensions that block analytics (such as Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on)
Enable "Do Not Track" in your browser (though industry response to this signal varies)
Use a privacy-focused browser that blocks tracking by default
Use browser privacy mode (incognito/private browsing), which typically limits cookie storage

6. Impact of Disabling Cookies/Local Storage

If you choose to disable cookies or clear local storage, please be aware that:

Your theme preference (light/dark mode) will reset to the system default each time you visit
Your country comparison selections will not be saved between sessions
Your progress in the jurisdiction finder wizard will not be preserved
The core functionality of browsing and reading content will still work normally

7. Do Not Track

Some browsers have a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature that lets you tell websites you do not want your online activities tracked. There is currently no industry standard for how websites should respond to DNT signals.

Our Website does not currently respond differently to DNT signals. However, our minimal use of tracking technologies means that even without DNT, your privacy is protected through our privacy-by-design approach.

8. Global Privacy Control

Some browsers and extensions support Global Privacy Control (GPC), a newer signal that indicates your privacy preferences. We respect GPC signals and will treat them as a request to limit data processing where technically feasible.

9. Third-Party Websites

Our Website may contain links to third-party websites. These external sites have their own cookie and privacy policies, which we encourage you to review. We have no control over and are not responsible for the cookies used by third-party websites.

10. Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the cookies we use or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. Changes will be indicated by updating the "Last updated" date at the top of this page.

We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy periodically to stay informed about our use of cookies and related technologies.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us at:

Email: [email protected]

12. Further Information

For more information about how we handle your data, please see our: