1. What Are Cookies
Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They help websites function, remember preferences, and understand usage. Similar technologies include localStorage, sessionStorage, and tracking pixels.
2. How We Use Cookies
| Category | Purpose | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | Enable core functionality: security, navigation, form submission, session management | Session ID, CSRF token, cookie consent preference |
| Analytics | Understand how visitors use our site: pages viewed, time on page, traffic sources | Google Analytics 4 (_ga, _gid, _gat) |
| Preferences | Remember your choices: theme (dark/light), language, region | Theme cookie, language cookie |
| Marketing | We do not currently use marketing/advertising cookies | — |
3. Specific Cookies We Set
3.1 Essential
next-auth.session-token/__session— Authentication session (if auth enabled)cookie-consent— Your cookie preference choice (1 year)theme— Dark/light mode preference (1 year)
3.2 Analytics (Google Analytics 4)
_ga— Distinguishes users (2 years)_ga_*— Session state (2 years)_gid— Distinguishes users (24 hours)_gat— Throttles request rate (1 minute)
GA4 is configured with IP anonymization. We do not enable User-ID or advertising features.
4. Third-Party Cookies
We embed content that may set third-party cookies:
- WhatsApp: When you click our WhatsApp link/button, WhatsApp (Meta) may set cookies per their policy.
- Vercel: Our hosting provider may set technical cookies for load balancing, security, analytics.
- Google Fonts: Fonts are self-hosted via
next/font— no font requests to Google.
5. Your Choices
5.1 Cookie Consent Banner
On first visit, you'll see a banner allowing you to accept or reject non-essential cookies. Essential cookies cannot be rejected as the site won't function without them.
5.2 Browser Controls
You can manage/delete cookies via your browser settings:
- Chrome: Settings → Privacy → Cookies
- Firefox: Options → Privacy → Cookies
- Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
- Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions
5.3 Opt-Out of Analytics
Install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
6. Data Retention
- Essential cookies: Session or 1 year (preferences)
- GA4 cookies: 2 years (_ga), 24 hours (_gid)
- Analytics data in GA4: 26 months (default)
7. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy. Material changes will be posted here with a revised "Last updated" date. Continued use constitutes acceptance.
8. Contact Us
Questions about cookies?
- Email: support@metalogintl.com
- WhatsApp: +92 335 322 1003