Cookie Policy

This Cookie Policy explains how AeroSpottle uses cookies and similar browser storage technologies when you visit aerospottle.com. Please read it alongside our Privacy Policy.

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small files stored in your browser. AeroSpottle primarily uses localStorage and sessionStorage — Web Storage APIs that behave similarly to cookies but are never automatically sent to our servers. This means your stored data stays on your device unless you explicitly submit it (for example, by saving a score).

AeroSpottle does not use tracking cookies, advertising cookies, or analytics cookies. Our analytics platform (Plausible) is entirely cookie-free by design.

2. Essential Storage (Always Active)

These are required for the site to work.

Key	Purpose	Expires
firebase:authUser:*	Stores your Firebase login session so you stay signed in between visits.	Until you sign out
aerospottle:cookie-consent	Remembers that you have dismissed the cookie notice on this device.	Persistent
aeroguesser:daily:*	Caches your daily puzzle state so you can pick up where you left off.	30 days
aeroguesser:onboarding-seen	Remembers that you have already seen the tutorial, so it is not shown again.	Persistent
sessionStorage: maintenanceBypass	Temporary flag that lets staff bypass the maintenance page during an outage.	Browser tab session

3. Analytics — Cookie-Free

AeroSpottle uses Plausible Analytics — a privacy-friendly, open-source analytics platform that does not use cookies, does not track individuals, and does not sell data. Plausible is fully compliant with GDPR, CCPA, and PECR by design, and requires no consent banner under these regulations.

What Plausible measures:

• Total page views per page
• Unique visitors per day (measured without cookies via a rotating daily hash that cannot identify you across days)
• Referrer sources (which site you came from)
• Country-level location (derived from your IP address, which is not stored)
• Device type (mobile, desktop, tablet), browser, and operating system
• Aggregate in-game events (game started, game won, streak milestones)

What Plausible does not do:

• Set any cookies in your browser
• Store your IP address after processing
• Track you across other websites
• Build user profiles or advertising audiences
• Sell or share your data with third parties

You can read Plausible's full privacy policy at plausible.io/privacy.

4. Third-Party Services That Set Storage

We use a small number of third-party services that may independently set storage in your browser:

• Google Firebase — sets an auth session token in localStorage so your login persists.
• Stripe — if you start a checkout, Stripe's hosted page may set cookies for fraud prevention. This is governed by Stripe's Privacy Policy.
• Google Fonts — fonts are served from Google's CDN. Google may log your IP address as part of the request.

5. Managing Your Preferences

Since AeroSpottle uses no tracking or advertising cookies there is nothing to opt out of. You can dismiss the cookie notice again at any time by clicking the button below.

Reset Cookie Notice

You can also clear all site storage by opening your browser's developer tools and clearing localStorage for aerospottle.com. Note that doing so will sign you out and reset your local game progress.

6. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the effective date at the top of this page. Continued use of AeroSpottle constitutes acceptance of any changes.

7. Contact