🍪 Cookie Policy

Last Updated: 26 January 2026

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that websites place on your device (computer, phone, tablet) when you visit. They help websites remember your preferences and improve your experience.

Types of Storage We Use

• Cookies: Small files sent with each page request
• Local Storage: Data stored in your browser
• Session Storage: Temporary data cleared when you close the browser

2. Cookies We Use

ESSENTIAL Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are required for the website to function. You cannot opt out of these.

Cookie Name	Purpose	Duration
DUDA_SESSION	Maintains your session on our website	Session
cookie_consent	Remembers your cookie preferences	1 year
csrf_token	Security - prevents cross-site attacks	Session
auth_token	Keeps you logged into your account (platform users)	30 days

ANALYTICS Analytics Cookies

These help us understand how visitors use our site so we can improve it. You can opt out.

Cookie Name	Purpose	Duration
_ga	Google Analytics - distinguishes users	2 years
_gid	Google Analytics - distinguishes users	24 hours
_gat	Google Analytics - throttles request rate	1 minute

FUNCTIONAL Functional Cookies

These enhance your experience by remembering preferences. You can opt out.

Cookie Name	Purpose	Duration
language_pref	Remembers your language preference	1 year
theme_mode	Remembers dark/light mode preference	1 year

3. What We DON'T Use

BlastBeat is committed to protecting your privacy, especially for our young users. We do NOT use:

• ❌ Advertising/Marketing cookies – We don't target ads
• ❌ Third-party tracking pixels – No social media trackers
• ❌ Cross-site tracking – We don't follow you around the web
• ❌ Profiling cookies – We don't build profiles for advertising
• ❌ Data broker sharing – We never sell cookie data

4. Third-Party Services

Some features on our site involve third-party services that may set their own cookies:

Service	Purpose	Their Policy
Google Analytics	Website statistics	Google Privacy Policy
Formless.ai	Registration forms	Formless Privacy Policy
YouTube (embedded)	Video content	Google Privacy Policy
Supabase	Platform authentication	Supabase Privacy Policy

5. Managing Your Cookie Preferences

On Our Website

When you first visit, you'll see a cookie banner where you can accept or customize your preferences. You can change these anytime by clicking "Cookie Settings" in the footer.

In Your Browser

You can also control cookies through your browser settings:

• Chrome: Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies
• Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies
• Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Cookies
• Edge: Settings → Privacy → Cookies

Opt Out of Analytics

You can opt out of Google Analytics across all websites by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

6. Special Protections for Children

Since BlastBeat serves young people aged 13-18, we take extra care:

• We only use cookies necessary for the platform to work
• Analytics are aggregated and anonymized
• We never use cookies for behavioural advertising to minors
• Parental controls can limit cookie usage where available

7. Legal Basis

Our use of cookies complies with:

• POPIA (South Africa) – Protection of Personal Information Act
• GDPR (EU/Ireland) – General Data Protection Regulation
• ePrivacy Directive – EU cookie law requirements

Cookie Type	Legal Basis
Essential	Legitimate interest (site functionality)
Analytics	Consent
Functional	Consent

8. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated date. If we make significant changes to how we use cookies, we'll notify you via:

• A notice on our website
• Email to registered users (for major changes)
• Resetting your cookie preferences so you can re-consent