Cookie policy
Last updated: 18 May 2026
1. What cookies are and how we use them
A "cookie" is a small piece of data stored in your browser. This page also covers similar technologies — such as localStorage — which are treated the same way under UK PECR. We group everything we use into three categories, with a concrete list further down.
2. Categories
- Strictly necessary. Required for the website to function — signing in, staying signed in, and remembering that you saw the cookie banner. Under UK PECR these do not require consent.
- Analytics. Optional. If enabled, we use Google Analytics 4 to measure traffic in aggregate (pages viewed, referrer, rough geographic region). IP addresses are anonymised where the provider supports it.
- Advertising. Optional. If enabled, Google AdSense and its certified ad partners may set cookies to select, cap and measure ads. Without this consent you still see the site normally — just without ads.
3. Cookies we set — strictly necessary
| Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| aquaticforum_cookie_consent_v1 | AquaticForum.co.uk (first-party) | Records which cookie categories you accepted or rejected so we do not ask you again on every page. | 12 months (browser localStorage) |
| sb-access-token | Supabase (first-party) | Signed session token so you stay logged in across pages. | Session / until sign-out (~1 hour, refreshed automatically) |
| sb-refresh-token | Supabase (first-party) | Lets the site refresh your login without asking you to sign in again. | Up to 30 days |
| sb-*-auth-token | Supabase (first-party) | Client-side auth state for the Supabase SDK (tied to your project ref). | Up to 30 days (browser localStorage) |
4. Cookies we set — analytics (optional)
Only loaded after you grant "Analytics" consent. Decline at any time to stop them being set or read.
| Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| _ga | Google Analytics 4 (only if analytics consent granted) | Distinguishes one visitor from another for aggregate usage statistics. | 2 years |
| _ga_<container-id> | Google Analytics 4 (only if analytics consent granted) | Persists session state for Google Analytics 4. | 2 years |
| _gid | Google Analytics (if in use) | Distinguishes visitors within a 24-hour window. | 24 hours |
5. Cookies we set — advertising (optional)
Only loaded after you grant "Advertising" consent. These cookies are set by Google (and its certified third-party ad partners) to select, cap, deliver and measure ads. Exact cookie names and durations are determined by Google and may change; the list below reflects the current AdSense documentation.
| Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| __gads / __gpi | Google AdSense (only if advertising consent granted) | Ad frequency capping, delivery and measurement; links served ads to impressions without identifying you personally. | Up to 13 months |
| __eoi | Google AdSense | Records limited ad event information, e.g. for identifying the user across sessions for frequency capping. | Up to 6 months |
| IDE | Google DoubleClick / Ad Manager | Ad selection, delivery, reporting and conversion measurement on Google partner sites. | Up to 13 months |
| test_cookie | Google DoubleClick | Checks whether your browser supports cookies before serving ads. | 15 minutes |
| NID | Google (ads and preferences) | Stores preferences (e.g. language) and provides personalised ads on non-Google sites. | Up to 6 months |
For the authoritative, always-current list see Google's own documentation: Types of cookies used by Google and certified ad partners.
6. Legal basis (UK GDPR + PECR)
Strictly necessary cookies are set under our legitimate interest in operating a secure website (UK GDPR Art. 6(1)(f); PECR reg. 6(4) exception). Analytics and advertising cookies are set only with your explicit consent (UK GDPR Art. 6(1)(a); PECR reg. 6(1)–(3)).
7. Changing or withdrawing consent
Use the Cookie settings link in the site footer to reopen the consent panel and change your choices. Withdrawing consent clears the matching categories from browser storage at the next page load. Clearing browser data also resets your stored preference, in which case you'll see the banner again on your next visit.
8. Questions
For anything about this page or your data, use our contact page or see the privacy policy. You can also read the UK ICO's guidance at ico.org.uk/cookies.