Cookie Policy
Version 2.0 - Last updated March 2026
1. What Are Cookies
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, smartphone, or tablet) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work efficiently, to provide information to website owners, and to enable certain features and functionality. Cookies can be "session" cookies, which are deleted when you close your browser, or "persistent" cookies, which remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them manually.
In addition to cookies, we may use similar technologies such as web beacons (also known as pixel tags or clear GIFs), local storage, and session storage to collect information about your interactions with the Service.
2. How We Use Cookies
Dead Certain Club uses cookies for several purposes: to keep you logged in securely, to remember your preferences, to understand how visitors use our website, to detect and prevent fraud, and to deliver relevant advertisements. Some cookies are essential for the Service to function, while others help us improve your experience or support our business through advertising revenue.
3. Types of Cookies We Use
3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for the Service to function. Without them, you cannot log in, maintain a secure session, or use core features. These cookies cannot be disabled.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
next-auth.session-token | Maintains your authenticated session after login. Required for accessing member-only features and making predictions. | Session / 30 days |
next-auth.csrf-token | Provides Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) protection, ensuring that form submissions and actions originate from our website and not a malicious third party. | Session |
next-auth.callback-url | Stores the URL to redirect you to after completing the authentication process. | Session |
cookie-consent | Records your cookie consent preferences so we do not ask you repeatedly and respect your choices across visits. | 12 months |
3.2 Performance & Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with the Service by collecting information about page visits, traffic sources, and user behaviour. All data collected by these cookies is aggregated and therefore anonymous. We use this information to improve the Service.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
_ga | Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique users by assigning a randomly generated number as a client identifier. Used to calculate visitor, session, and campaign data for site analytics reports. | 2 years |
_ga_* | Google Analytics | Used by Google Analytics 4 to maintain session state and track interactions across pages. | 2 years |
_gid | Google Analytics | Stores and updates a unique value for each page visited. Used to count and track pageviews. | 24 hours |
3.3 Functionality Cookies
These cookies allow the Service to remember choices you make (such as your preferred theme) and provide enhanced, personalised features.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
theme-preference | Stores your preferred visual theme (light or dark mode) so it persists across sessions. | 12 months |
3.4 Advertising Cookies
These cookies are used to deliver advertisements that are relevant to you and your interests. They also help limit the number of times you see an advertisement and measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns. These cookies are placed by our advertising partners and require your consent.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
__gads | Google AdSense | Measures interactions with ads served on the site, preventing the same ads from being shown repeatedly. | 13 months |
__gpi | Google AdSense | Used by Google to store and track user interactions with advertising to deliver more relevant ads. | 13 months |
4. Third-Party Cookies
In addition to our own cookies, third-party services integrated into the Service may set their own cookies on your device. We do not control these third-party cookies. The third parties that may set cookies through our Service include:
- Google Analytics (Google LLC) — Website traffic analysis and reporting. You can opt out of Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
- Google AdSense (Google LLC) — Advertising delivery and measurement. You can manage your ad personalisation preferences at Google Ads Settings.
- Stripe, Inc. — Stripe may set cookies for fraud prevention and to facilitate secure payment processing when you interact with payment forms. Stripe's cookie usage is governed by their own cookie policy.
5. Managing Cookie Preferences
You have several options for managing cookies:
5.1 Our Cookie Consent Banner
When you first visit the Service, a cookie consent banner allows you to accept or reject non-essential cookies. You can update your preferences at any time by clicking the cookie settings link in the website footer.
5.2 Browser Settings
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can typically set your browser to block all cookies, accept all cookies, or notify you when a cookie is set. The method for managing cookies varies by browser:
- Chrome: Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and other site data
- Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
- Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data
- Edge: Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Manage and delete cookies
6. Impact of Disabling Cookies
If you choose to disable or block cookies, please be aware that some parts of the Service may not function properly. Specifically:
- Disabling strictly necessary cookies will prevent you from logging in and using member features
- Disabling analytics cookies will not affect your use of the Service, but will limit our ability to improve it
- Disabling functionality cookies may cause the Service to forget your preferences (such as theme settings)
- Disabling advertising cookies will not remove ads but may result in less relevant advertisements being shown
7. Do Not Track Signals
Some browsers offer a "Do Not Track" (DNT) setting that sends a signal to websites you visit indicating that you do not want to be tracked. There is currently no universally accepted standard for how websites should respond to DNT signals. At this time, the Service does not alter its data collection practices in response to DNT signals. If a standard is established in the future, we will review and update our practices accordingly.
8. Updates to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the cookies we use or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. When we make changes, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy periodically.
9. Contact
If you have questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us:
For broader privacy enquiries, please see our Privacy Policy or contact privacy@deadcertainclub.com.