Cookie Policy
Last updated: September 25, 2026
What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files that a website stores on your device. We also use similar browser technologies, such as local storage and session storage, which work in much the same way. In this policy, "cookies" covers all of them.
How we use them
We use a small number of cookies to keep you signed in, remember your settings and understand how the site is used. Strictly necessary cookies are always on. Analytics and advertising measurement only run if you accept them in the cookie banner. You can change your choice at any time (see "Managing your preferences" below).
Cookies we use
Essential cookies (always on)
These are needed to sign you in and keep the panel secure. Without them the site can't work, so they can't be switched off. They do not track you across other websites.
| Cookie | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
beacon_cognito_at |
Your sign-in access token | Up to 1 hour |
beacon_cognito_rt |
Keeps you signed in without asking for your password again | 60 days |
beacon_cognito_uname |
Identifies your sign-in account so your session can be renewed | 60 days |
beacon_edge_session |
Confirms your session before a page loads | Up to 1 hour |
beacon_perm_snapshot |
Briefly caches your access level to speed up page loads | 60 seconds |
beacon_pending_google_link |
Holds a "Sign in with Google" account-linking request while you confirm it | 10 minutes |
All of the above are set by us, are HttpOnly (scripts in your browser cannot read them), and are sent only over HTTPS. They are removed when you sign out.
Functional cookies (always on)
These remember your choices and make the site more convenient. They do not identify you outside Beacon Hosting.
| Cookie / storage item | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
sidebar_state |
Remembers whether the panel sidebar is open or collapsed | 7 days |
beacon_ref |
Remembers a referral or creator code from a ?ref= link so it can be applied at checkout |
30 days |
theme (local storage) |
Remembers your chosen colour theme | Until you clear it |
cookie-consent (local storage) |
Remembers your cookie choice | 1 year |
We also keep some preferences and drafts in your browser's local or session storage, for example your server list layout, dismissed notices and an in-progress checkout. This data never leaves your device unless you submit it.
Analytics and advertising cookies (only with your consent)
We only load these if you accept analytics in the cookie banner.
| Service | Cookies / storage | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| PostHog | An anonymous identifier, plus session data | Shows us which pages and features are used, and helps us find errors, so we can improve the service. Not used on sign-in and sign-up pages. |
| Google (Google Ads tag) | Google's advertising and measurement cookies, such as _gcl_* |
Measures whether our advertising leads to sign-ups and purchases |
If you decline, these services do not run and set no cookies. A Google tag file still loads on our pages so it can respect your choice, but it is set to "denied" and does not store anything on your device until you accept.
Third-party services
Some cookies come from services that are part of using the site. These services have their own privacy policies.
- Stripe provides secure card payments. Stripe may set its own cookies on checkout pages to prevent fraud and process payments. These are necessary for payment.
- Cloudflare Turnstile helps us block automated sign-ups on the sign-up page. It checks that you are a real person and may keep a short-lived token.
- Google provides sign-in with Google, if you choose to use it, and the advertising measurement above.
- PostHog provides the analytics above.
We do not sell your personal information.
Managing your preferences
- Cookie banner: you can accept or decline analytics and advertising when you first visit. To change your choice later, clear this site's local storage and cookies in your browser, and the banner will appear again.
- Browser settings: most browsers let you block or delete cookies. Blocking essential cookies will stop you from signing in. Instructions:
- Global Privacy Control / Do Not Track: we do not currently respond to these signals, but you can decline analytics in our banner.
Updates to this policy
We may update this policy when our cookies or the services we use change. When we do, we'll change the "Last updated" date above. If a change is material, we'll let you know by email or in the panel.
Contact us
Questions about cookies or your privacy? Email privacy@beaconhosting.org.