Cookies and similar technologies
Cookies are small values a website can ask a browser to store and return. Local storage and session storage keep similar browser-side values but are not automatically sent with every web request. This policy covers all three because the practical choice for visitors is similar.
Some technology is necessary to deliver a requested feature, secure the service or remember a privacy choice. Analytics and advertising technologies are optional and remain disabled through PlugSphere until the relevant category is accepted.
Current technology inventory
| Technology | Category and purpose | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|
| PlugSphere application session cookie | Necessary — maintains the application session and security state when a session is created. | About 2 hours of inactivity by current configuration. |
| plugsphere:consent:v1 (local storage) | Necessary — records whether Analytics and Advertising were accepted or rejected and the policy version. | Up to 180 days, or until you change the choice or clear site data. |
| plugsphere:preloader-seen (session storage) | Necessary — prevents the opening animation from replaying on each page in the same tab. | Until the browser tab is closed. |
| _ga and _ga_* (Google Analytics, if configured) | Analytics — distinguishes visits and measures use after Analytics is accepted. | Set according to Google Analytics configuration; commonly up to 2 years. |
| Advertising cookies or local identifiers | Advertising — may support delivery, measurement, frequency limits or personalization only if advertising is introduced and the required consent is present. | Varies by vendor; the active consent platform must provide vendor details. |
The map also requests tiles from CARTO, which receives ordinary connection information. Browser geolocation is controlled by a separate browser permission and is not a cookie.
Change or withdraw your choice
Use Cookie preferences at any time. Rejecting optional technologies does not disable the map, calculators or articles. Necessary technology cannot be switched off through the preference centre because it supports requested functionality, security or the record of your choice.
You can also clear cookies and site data in your browser. Doing so may reset the consent choice and cause the banner to appear again. Withdrawal prevents future optional processing through PlugSphere; it cannot undo processing that already occurred.
Global Privacy Control
When the browser exposes an enabled Global Privacy Control signal, PlugSphere forces the Advertising category off in its own preference centre. Analytics remains a separate, default-off choice. An advertising platform may require additional regional signals from a certified consent platform before it is enabled.
Third-party controls
Third-party providers may offer their own privacy and opt-out controls. Browser blocking can also affect cookies, but it may not communicate a legally recognised advertising preference to every provider. If AdSense is enabled for regions where Google requires it, PlugSphere must use a Google-certified consent platform in addition to or instead of this first-party preference centre.