This page explains how PlotBite uses cookies and browser local storage, and how you can manage these technologies. A cookie is a small text file a website stores on your device to preserve necessary state between visits.

1. Cookies and local storage we use

1.1 Essential cookies (always on)

• Sign-in token (JWT): stored in your browser's local storage to keep you signed in between visits, so you don't have to re-enter your password on every page. Clearing your browser data signs you out.
• Cookie consent choice: records your choice in the cookie banner (key plotbite_cookie_consent, value all or essential) so the banner doesn't reappear on every visit.
• Security & rate limiting: used to detect abnormal requests and protect the site against brute-force logins and form spam.

1.2 Preference cookies / local storage

• Remembers interface preferences and recent search keywords to reduce repeated typing.

1.3 Analytics & performance

• Records page load times and API errors to help us find and fix slowdowns. This data is used in aggregate and not to identify individuals.

1.4 Advertising cookies (enabled only after consent)

• Third-party advertising partners (such as Google AdSense) may set cookies or similar technologies for frequency capping, fraud prevention, measuring campaign performance, and — where the law permits — showing ads relevant to your interests. Their data handling is governed by their own privacy policies.
• Advertising scripts and cookies are not enabled until you choose "Accept all".

2. How consent works

On your first visit, a cookie banner appears at the bottom of the page with two options:

• Accept all: enables every category above, including advertising and analytics cookies. Stored as plotbite_cookie_consent=all.
• Essential only: keeps only the storage required for sign-in and site security; advertising and analytics cookies stay off. Stored as plotbite_cookie_consent=essential.

Your choice is stored locally in your browser and is never uploaded to our servers for identification. Until you make a choice, no non-essential cookies are set.

3. Managing and withdrawing consent

• Reset your choice: delete this site's data in your browser (or remove the plotbite_cookie_consent key) and refresh — the banner will reappear.
• Browser settings: all major browsers (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari) offer cookie controls under "Settings → Privacy & Security", where you can view and delete our cookies or block third-party cookies entirely.
• Private / incognito mode: closing the window automatically clears cookies and local storage in this mode.

Note: if you block essential cookies or clear your sign-in token, features that require an account — bookmarks and likes — will not work.

4. Third-party cookies

Ads on this site are served by third parties that may read or write their own cookies on your device. Those cookies are controlled by the third parties; we cannot access or modify them. You can block third-party cookies in your browser settings, or choose "Essential only" in the consent banner.

5. Changes to this policy

When we add or change how cookies are used, we will update this page and the "Last updated" date above. For material changes that require fresh consent, we will show the consent banner again.

6. Contact

Questions about our use of cookies? Leave a message via the Contact page and we'll respond within 5 business days.