Cookie Policy
Effective: 1 January 2026 — Last reviewed: 1 January 2026
1. What Are Cookies
Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites function correctly, to remember your preferences, and to provide site operators with information about how visitors use their sites. Cookies are not harmful; they cannot execute programmes or carry viruses.
Cookies set by the website you are visiting are called first-party cookies. Cookies set by parties other than the website you are visiting are called third-party cookies. Third-party cookies may be placed by services embedded in or linked to by a page, such as analytics providers or embedded content.
2. Why We Use Cookies
Grasol Notebook uses cookies for the following purposes:
- To ensure core site functionality operates correctly, including navigation and page rendering.
- To remember your cookie consent preferences so we do not ask for them again on each visit.
- To understand how readers navigate the site and which articles are most frequently read, in order to improve editorial decisions.
- To serve content via third-party embeds where such content is present on a page.
We do not use cookies for advertising, remarketing, cross-site tracking, or the sale of personal data to third parties.
3. Types of Cookies We Use
3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are required for the site to function. They include the cookie that stores your consent preferences. Without these cookies, services you have asked for cannot be provided. These cookies cannot be switched off in our system. They do not collect personal data used for marketing purposes.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| grasol_consent | Stores your cookie consent choices so we do not repeat the consent banner. | 12 months |
| PHPSESSID | Standard PHP session identifier. Maintains session state during a single visit. | Session |
3.2 Analytics Cookies
These cookies allow us to count visits and understand how readers move through the publication. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. These cookies are placed only with your consent.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| _ga | Google Analytics. Distinguishes unique visitors by assigning a randomly generated number. | 2 years |
| _ga_* | Google Analytics 4. Used to persist session state across page requests. | 2 years |
| _gid | Google Analytics. Distinguishes users. Expires after 24 hours. | 24 hours |
3.3 Functional Cookies
Functional cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third-party providers whose services appear on certain pages. If you do not allow these cookies, some features may not function as intended, though core reading functionality will not be affected.
At present, Grasol Notebook does not set additional functional cookies beyond those listed above. This section will be updated if functional cookies are introduced.
4. Third-Party Cookies
Some pages on this site may include embedded content from third parties (for example, maps). These third parties may set their own cookies when you interact with their content. Grasol Notebook does not control the use of these cookies. We recommend you review the privacy and cookie policies of any third-party services you interact with.
The embedded maps on our Contact page use Google Maps, which may set cookies in accordance with Google's own cookie policy, available at policies.google.com.
5. Your Consent
When you first visit Grasol Notebook, you will be presented with a cookie consent banner. You may choose from the following options:
- Accept All: consent to all cookie categories, including analytics.
- Accept Selected: consent to the specific categories you select via the cookie settings panel.
- Functional Only: accept only strictly necessary cookies required for the site to operate.
Your preferences are stored in a first-party cookie for 12 months. You may change your preferences at any time by selecting "Cookie Settings" in the footer of any page.
Strictly necessary cookies are placed without requiring your consent, as they are essential for the site to function. All other cookies are placed only after you have provided explicit consent.
6. Managing Cookies via Your Browser
In addition to using our consent controls, you can manage or delete cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to refuse all cookies, accept only first-party cookies, delete existing cookies, or receive a notification before a cookie is set. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of this site.
Instructions for managing cookies in common browsers:
- Google Chrome: Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and other site data
- Mozilla Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
- Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data
- Microsoft Edge: Settings > Cookies and Site Permissions > Cookies
For more general information about cookies and how to manage them, visit aboutcookies.org or the ICO guidance at ico.org.uk.
7. Cookie Retention Periods
We retain cookie-derived data only for as long as necessary for the stated purpose. Analytics data derived from cookies is retained for a maximum of 26 months from the date of collection, after which it is automatically deleted by the analytics platform. Consent records are retained for 12 months.
Session cookies are deleted automatically when you close your browser. Persistent cookies remain on your device until they expire or until you delete them using your browser's cookie management tool.
8. Policy Updates
This cookie policy may be updated periodically to reflect changes in the cookies we use or applicable legislation. We will note the date of the most recent review at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this policy each time you visit the site if you are concerned about how your data is used.
Where changes are material, we will make reasonable efforts to bring them to your attention, including by updating the consent banner if new cookie categories are introduced.
9. Contact
If you have any questions about how we use cookies or wish to exercise your rights in relation to data collected via cookies, write to [email protected] with the subject line "Cookie Enquiry."
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk if you believe cookies are being used in a manner inconsistent with applicable data protection law.