Cookie Policy

Effective Date: July 12, 2026

This Cookie Policy explains how The Stream Facility ("we," "us," "our") uses cookies and similar technologies when you use our Platform, in accordance with the EU ePrivacy Directive, the UK Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR), and applicable national laws.

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device by your browser when you visit a website. They allow the site to recognise your device across requests — for example, to keep you signed in.

Cookies We Set

All cookies currently placed by the Platform are strictly necessary (essential) cookies. They are required for the Platform to function and to keep your account secure. Under GDPR, UK GDPR, and the ePrivacy Directive, strictly necessary cookies do not require your consent, though we inform you of them here as a matter of transparency.
| _gcl_au | Google AdSense — stores and tracks conversions and ad click information | Third-party (advertising) | 90 days |
| IDE | Google DoubleClick — used by Google to register and report ad interactions for frequency capping and fraud prevention | Third-party (advertising) | 13 months |
| DSID | Google — identifies a signed-in Google user to record ad preferences and personalisation | Third-party (advertising) | 2 weeks |

| Cookie name | Purpose | Type | Expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| next-auth.session-token | Stores your encrypted session JWT to keep you signed in | Persistent | 24 hours |
| next-auth.csrf-token | Cross-site request forgery protection — required for all form submissions and API calls | Session | Browser close |
| next-auth.callback-url | Stores the URL you were trying to reach before sign-in, so you are redirected correctly after authenticating | Session | Browser close |

> Production note: In HTTPS environments, cookie names are prefixed with __Secure- (e.g., __Secure-next-auth.session-token) and the Secure and SameSite=Lax flags are applied automatically.

Similar Technologies — Local Storage

We also use your browser's local storage (not a cookie) to record your response to this cookie notice. The key stored is sf_cookie_consent. Local storage data does not leave your device and is not transmitted to our servers. You can clear it at any time via your browser's developer tools or storage settings.

Optional and Analytics Cookies

We do not currently use analytics or tracking cookies, social media tracking pixels, or third-party profiling technologies.

Third-Party Advertising Cookies (Google AdSense)

We use Google AdSense to display advertisements on the Platform. Google AdSense places cookies on your device to:
- Serve ads relevant to you based on prior visits to this site or other sites
- Limit the number of times you see a given ad (frequency capping)
- Measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns
- Prevent fraudulent ad activity

These cookies are placed by Google LLC and its affiliates, acting as an independent data controller. Google's use of advertising cookies is governed by Google's Privacy Policy.

Personalised vs. non-personalised ads: Where required by law (including for visitors in the EU, UK, and EEA), we obtain your consent before enabling personalised advertising. If you decline, non-personalised ads may still be shown, but they will not be based on your browsing history.

Opting out of Google advertising cookies:
- Manage your Google ad preferences: google.com/settings/ads
- Opt out via the Network Advertising Initiative: optout.networkadvertising.org
- Opt out via the Digital Advertising Alliance: optout.aboutads.info

If we introduce optional cookies in the future, we will update this policy and obtain your explicit consent before setting them.

If we introduce optional cookies in the future, we will update this policy and obtain your explicit consent before setting them.

Legal Basis

Strictly necessary cookies are placed on the basis of legitimate interest / technical necessity under the ePrivacy Directive and are exempt from the consent requirement under UK PECR Regulation 6(4).

Advertising cookies (Google AdSense) are non-essential and are placed only on the basis of your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR / UK GDPR). You may withdraw your consent at any time by adjusting your cookie preferences or using the opt-out links in the section above. Withdrawing consent does not affect the lawfulness of any processing that took place before withdrawal.

Managing Cookies

To opt out of personalised advertising specifically, use the links in the Third-Party Advertising Cookies section above rather than blocking all cookies — blocking the session cookie will sign you out of the Platform.

Browser cookie settings:
- Chrome
- Firefox
- Safari
- Edge

Changes to This Policy

If we introduce new cookies — including optional or analytics cookies — we will update this policy and, where required by law, seek your consent before setting them.

Contact

Questions about our use of cookies? Contact us at: https://streamfacility.com/contact