Cookie Policy

This Cookie Policy explains how Spoken Past ("we", "us") uses cookies and similar technologies on spokenpast.com. It works together with our Privacy Policy.

We keep tracking limited to what is needed for site functionality, accounts, checkout, analytics, and advertising. Depending on your region and browser settings, Google and other providers may request consent or use consent signals before using optional analytics or advertising storage.

1) What are cookies and similar tech?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device. We may also use similar technologies such as local storage and device identifiers to keep the site secure and functional.

2) How we use cookies

• Strictly necessary (always on): required for security, checkout, and spam protection (e.g., account session cookies, Stripe Checkout, and Cloudflare Turnstile on registration). Without these, core features won't work.
• Performance/analytics (optional): to understand aggregate usage and improve the site. We use Google Analytics (consent-based in EEA/UK). We also use Vercel Analytics and Vercel Speed Insights, which generally operate without traditional cookies.
• Advertising: Google AdSense and advertising partners may use cookies or similar technologies to serve ads, prevent fraud, limit how often you see an ad, measure ad performance, and personalize ads where permitted.
• Consent preference: a small cookie may remember your choices where a consent control is available.

3) Providers we use (and typical cookies)

Exact names and lifetimes can change as providers update their services. The examples below are typical.

• Account session — strictly necessary for login and account access.
  Typical cookies: authToken, refreshToken, and sp_logged_in for keeping you signed in and showing account-only features.
• Stripe (Checkout) — strictly necessary for purchases and donations.
  Typical cookies: __stripe_mid (~1 year), __stripe_sid (~30 minutes), and related cookies set on stripe.com / checkout.stripe.com for fraud prevention and session management.
• Cloudflare Turnstile — strictly necessary to block abusive registration attempts.
  Turnstile may use cookies or similar security signals to verify that registration requests are legitimate.
• Google Analytics — optional analytics to improve the site; runs only after consent in the EEA/UK.
  Typical cookies: _ga (2 years), _ga_* (2 years), _gid (24 hours).
• Google AdSense — advertising, ad measurement, fraud prevention, frequency capping, and ad personalization where permitted.
  Google and its partners may use advertising cookies or similar identifiers based on your visits to this site and/or other sites. You can manage Google ad personalization at Google Ads Settings.
• Vercel Analytics & Speed Insights — performance metrics, generally cookie-less.
  These tools help measure performance and reliability without relying on traditional cookies.
• Consent preference — remembers whether you accepted or declined optional cookies.
  Typical cookie: a small first-party cookie such as cookie-consent (duration varies).

4) Your choices

• Google ad settings: manage Google ad personalization at Google Ads Settings.
• Browser controls: you can block or delete cookies in your browser settings. Doing so may affect site functionality, especially for login, checkout, and forms.
• Do Not Track: many browsers offer DNT; there is no single industry standard for responses. We minimize tracking and honor consent where required.

5) Region-specific notes

In the EEA/UK, Google and its advertising partners may request consent or use consent signals before optional analytics or advertising storage is used. In other regions (including Australia), we still keep tracking limited and provide information about available controls.

6) Updates to this policy

We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect changes in technology or law. The effective date above will be updated, and we may provide a notice on the site if changes are material.

7) Contact

Questions about this Cookie Policy: [email protected]