1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They allow a website to recognise your device, maintain your session, and enable core functionality.
North Wales Local uses a minimal set of cookies that are strictly necessary for the operation of the platform and for providing features requested by users.
We do not use advertising, affiliate tracking, cross-site behavioural tracking, or third-party analytics cookies.
2. Legal Basis for Cookies
Under the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR), cookies that are strictly necessary for the provision of a service requested by the user do not require prior consent.
North Wales Local sets only:
- Strictly necessary cookies
- Limited first-party functional session identifiers used for internal analytics
Because these cookies are essential for account authentication and delivery of core service features (such as profile analytics dashboards), no consent banner is displayed.
If we introduce non-essential cookies in the future, we will implement an appropriate consent mechanism before doing so.
3. Essential Authentication Cookies (Always Active)
These cookies are required for account login, session management, and secure access to dashboards. They cannot be disabled without preventing the platform from functioning.
| Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| sb-*-auth-token | Supabase | Maintains authenticated user session | Session / up to 7 days |
| sb-*-refresh-token | Supabase | Refreshes authentication session | Up to 30 days |
* The exact cookie name includes a project-specific identifier, e.g. sb-abcdef123-auth-token
These cookies:
- Are first-party cookies
- Do not track users across different websites
- Are not used for advertising or profiling
4. Functional Session Identifier (Profile Analytics)
| Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| nwl_session | North Wales Local | Anonymous session identifier used to deduplicate profile view counts | Session |
This identifier:
- Is pseudonymous
- Does not store personal information
- Is not linked to advertising
- Is not shared with third-party advertisers
- Is used solely to calculate listing analytics displayed to business users
It exists to prevent inflated view counts and ensure fair analytics reporting.
5. Cookies We Do Not Use
North Wales Local does not use:
- Google Analytics or similar third-party tracking cookies
- Google Ads or Meta Pixel
- Affiliate tracking cookies
- Retargeting or behavioural advertising cookies
- Cross-site tracking identifiers
- Social media tracking pixels
If any of the above are introduced in future, this policy will be updated and appropriate consent obtained before activation.
6. Third-Party Services
Some third-party services may set cookies in connection with specific actions:
Stripe (Payment Processing)
Stripe may set its own cookies during the checkout process when you subscribe to a paid listing tier. These cookies are controlled by Stripe and subject to Stripe's own privacy and cookie policies.
Supabase (Authentication)
Supabase sets authentication cookies required for secure login. These cookies are strictly necessary for platform operation.
7. International Data Transfers
Stripe may process limited data in the United States in connection with payment transactions. Safeguards are implemented via UK-approved Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs).
Authentication and session infrastructure used by North Wales Local is hosted in the UK.
8. Managing Cookies
Because North Wales Local uses only strictly necessary and functional cookies, there is no consent banner.
You may manage or delete cookies at any time via your browser settings:
Please note:
- Deleting authentication cookies (e.g.
sb-*-auth-token) will sign you out of your account. - Blocking essential cookies may prevent the platform from functioning correctly.
9. Changes to This Policy
If we introduce new categories of cookies, especially those requiring consent, we will:
- Update this policy
- Implement a cookie consent mechanism
- Notify registered users where appropriate
10. Contact
You have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office at ico.org.uk or by calling 0303 123 1113.