This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are, which cookies Parallel Globe uses, why we use them, and how you can manage your preferences. It should be read alongside our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
By using our Services, essential cookies required for the operation of the platform will be used. Optional cookies are only activated with your explicit consent, which you may grant or withdraw at any time through Cookie preferences.
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device by a website when you visit it. They allow the website to remember information about your visit — such as your language preference or login status — so that you do not have to re-enter it on each visit.
Similar technologies — such as local storage, session storage, scripts, and pixel tags — function in comparable ways and are also covered by this policy.
2. How We Use Cookies
Parallel Globe uses cookies strictly for operational, security, and — with your consent — analytical and personalisation purposes. We do not use cookies to build advertising profiles, track users across third-party websites, or sell user data to any party.
We use three categories of cookies:
- Strictly necessary cookies — required for the platform to function. These cannot be disabled.
- Analytics cookies — used only with your explicit consent to help us understand how users navigate the platform.
- Personalisation cookies — used only with your explicit consent to remember your preferences and tailor your experience.
3. Strictly Necessary Cookies
Purpose: Enable core functionality such as account login, session management, security, and privacy preferences.
Examples: Authentication tokens, load balancing, CSRF protection.
Consent required: No — these are essential and cannot be switched off.
Strictly necessary cookies are set automatically when you use the Services. These cookies do not track you for marketing or advertising purposes. They may be set by Parallel Globe (first-party) and by service providers acting on our behalf, including hosting, security, and load-balancing providers.
| Cookie (example) | Provider | Purpose | Typical Duration | Essential |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| pg_session (or __Host-...session) | Parallel Globe | Keeps you signed in and maintains your session. | Session to 30 days | Yes |
| pg_csrf (or __Host-...csrf) | Parallel Globe | Protects the site against cross-site request forgery (CSRF). | Session | Yes |
| pg_cookie_consent | Parallel Globe | Stores your cookie and consent preferences. | 6–12 months | Yes |
| pg_lang | Parallel Globe | Stores language and locale preference. | 6–12 months | Yes |
| pg_security | Parallel Globe | Security controls: fraud and spam prevention, rate limiting. | Up to 24 hours | Yes |
| load_balancer / routing cookie | Hosting/CDN provider | Delivers traffic reliably and protects platform availability. | Minutes to hours | Yes |
Note: exact cookie names may vary by deployment and browser. The table above describes the essential cookie types present in a standard production environment.
4. Analytics Cookies
Purpose: Collect information about how you use our Services — for example, which pages you visit and where you encounter errors. This helps us improve functionality and user experience.
Examples: Umami Analytics (privacy-respecting, self-hosted).
Consent required: Yes.
Parallel Globe uses Umami, a privacy-respecting analytics tool. Umami does not track users across websites, does not use fingerprinting, and does not share data with third-party advertising networks. Analytics cookies are only activated after you provide explicit consent.
| Cookie | Provider | Purpose | Typical Duration | Essential |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| _umami (or similar) | Umami Analytics | Privacy-respecting analytics: page views and usage patterns. Activated only with your explicit consent. | Up to 12 months | No |
5. Personalisation Cookies
Purpose: Remember your preferences and tailor content such as political topics, feeds, and recommendations.
Examples: Saved settings, language, or customised feeds.
Consent required: Yes.
Personalisation cookies help tailor your experience on the platform. They are only activated after you provide explicit consent and may be withdrawn at any time.
| Cookie | Provider | Purpose | Typical Duration | Essential |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| pg_prefs (or similar) | Parallel Globe | Stores your content preferences: saved settings, language, and personalised feed choices. Activated only with your explicit consent. | Up to 12 months | No |
6. How Long Do Cookies Last?
- Session cookies — deleted automatically when you close your browser.
- Persistent cookies — remain on your device until they expire or you delete them manually. Durations are set out in the tables above.
7. Your Consent and Cookie preferences
When you first visit Parallel Globe, a cookie consent banner will be displayed. You may:
- Accept All — all cookies, including optional analytics and personalisation cookies, will be activated.
- Reject Non-Essential — only strictly necessary cookies will be set.
- Cookie preferences — select individually which optional cookie categories to enable.
Your consent preferences are stored in the pg_cookie_consent cookie and, if you are signed in, synchronised across your devices. You may update or withdraw your consent at any time through Cookie preferences, without any detriment to your use of the platform.
Withdrawing consent for optional cookies does not affect the lawfulness of processing that occurred prior to withdrawal, and does not affect the use of strictly necessary cookies required for the platform to function.
8. Cookie Consent Banner
When you visit Parallel Globe for the first time, you will see the following banner:
‘Parallel Globe uses cookies and similar technologies to improve your experience, show relevant content, and help us understand how our platform is used. You can choose to accept all cookies or manage your preferences. For more details, see our Cookie Policy.’
The banner presents three options:
- Accept All
- Reject Non-Essential
- Cookie preferences
9. Cookie preferences
When you select ‘Cookie preferences’, you may control the following categories:
Strictly Necessary Cookies
Always active — required for the site to function (e.g., login, security, language settings). These cannot be disabled.
Analytics
Used to analyse site traffic, measure engagement, and improve the platform. Powered by Umami Analytics.
Personalisation
Helps tailor feeds, political discussions, and content recommendations to your preferences.
10. Third-Party Cookies and Sign-In Providers
If you sign in using the third-party provider X, that provider may set its own cookies in accordance with its own cookie policy. Parallel Globe does not control those cookies and is not responsible for them. We recommend reviewing the cookie policy of any third-party service you use.
Parallel Globe does not embed third-party advertising networks or tracking pixels that set cookies without your consent.
11. Cookie Service Providers and Data Processing Agreements
Where cookie-related data is processed by third-party service providers acting on our behalf — including hosting providers, CDN operators, and analytics services — those providers operate under Data Processing Agreements (“DPAs”) with Parallel Globe. These agreements require providers to process data only on our documented instructions and in compliance with applicable data protection law, including GDPR and UK GDPR.
A list of current cookie-related service providers is available on request by contacting support@parallelglobe.io.
Cookie-related data is processed and stored across secure infrastructure in Iceland and Switzerland. The Parallel Globe website and most account data are hosted in Iceland, a member of the European Economic Area (EEA), which provides full GDPR protections. PoliticTalk and CipherCall data are hosted in Switzerland. Photos and videos are delivered through a separate secure content delivery network. Where any cookie-related data is processed outside the EEA, Parallel Globe ensures appropriate safeguards are in place, including Standard Contractual Clauses or equivalent protections.
12. Cookie Retention
Cookies are retained for the durations set out in the tables above. Session cookies are deleted automatically when you close your browser. Persistent cookies expire after the period stated and are not renewed without your continued use of the platform or, in the case of optional cookies, your renewed consent.
13. Updates to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, legislation, or our use of cookies. Updated versions will be published on this page.
14. Contact
If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy or our use of cookies, please contact:
Use subject: ‘Cookie Policy Enquiry’.