1. What cookies are
A cookie is a small text file that a website stores on your device so that it can recognise your browser on later visits. Local storage is a similar mechanism built into modern browsers that stores slightly larger pieces of data and is not sent to the server with every request. This policy covers both, along with any similar technology we may use. Cookies are either first-party (set by us) or third-party (set by another organisation whose code runs on our page, such as an analytics provider).
2. How we use them
We divide cookies into three categories. Essential cookies are needed for the site to work and to remember that you have made a cookie choice; they are set without consent, as permitted by the Swedish Electronic Communications Act. Analytics cookies help us understand which guides are read, on which devices and from which cities, so we can improve them; they are set only if you accept them. Functional cookies remember choices such as which guides you have recently viewed so we can suggest the next one; they are also set only with consent. We do not use advertising or cross-site tracking cookies of any kind.
3. Cookies and storage keys we set
| Category | Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | ssp-cookie-consent | Scoutshelfstorypuls (local storage) | Records whether you accepted, rejected or customised cookies so the banner does not reappear | 12 months, then we ask again |
| Essential | ssp_session | Scoutshelfstorypuls | Protects the contact form against automated submissions | Session (deleted when the browser closes) |
| Analytics | _ga | Google Analytics 4 | Distinguishes one visitor from another using a random identifier | 2 years |
| Analytics | _ga_G8K2LP7Q4 | Google Analytics 4 | Maintains the current visit state and counts pages viewed | 2 years |
| Functional | ssp_prefs | Scoutshelfstorypuls | Remembers display preferences such as reduced animation and preferred language for future features | 6 months |
| Functional | ssp_recent_guides | Scoutshelfstorypuls | Stores the last three guides you opened so we can suggest the next one | 30 days |
Google's own description of how it handles analytics data is at policies.google.com/privacy. We have enabled IP anonymisation and disabled advertising features and data sharing in our analytics configuration.
4. Changing your choice
When you first visit, a banner at the bottom of the page offers three options. Accept All enables every category. Reject Non-Essential keeps only essential cookies. Preferences lets you switch analytics and functional cookies on or off individually. Your choice is stored in the ssp-cookie-consent key for twelve months. To change it later, use the "Cookie settings" button in the footer of any page or in the sidebar of this page; the banner will reappear with your current settings. Withdrawing consent stops new cookies being set; to remove cookies already placed, use the browser controls below.
5. Browser controls
Every major browser lets you view, delete and block cookies. Blocking essential cookies will not break this site, but the consent banner will appear on every page. The official instructions are:
- Google Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Third-party cookies, or see Google's guide to clearing, enabling and managing cookies.
- Mozilla Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data, or see Mozilla's guide to Enhanced Tracking Protection.
- Apple Safari: Safari → Settings → Privacy → Manage Website Data, or see Apple's guide to managing cookies in Safari. On iPhone and iPad, go to Settings → Safari → Advanced → Website Data.
- Microsoft Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Manage and delete cookies and site data, or see Microsoft's guide to deleting cookies in Edge.
To opt out of Google Analytics across all websites, Google offers a browser add-on.
6. Do Not Track and Global Privacy Control
If your browser sends a Do Not Track or Global Privacy Control signal, we treat it as a rejection of non-essential cookies unless you have actively chosen otherwise in the banner.
7. Changes to this policy
If we add, remove or change a cookie we will update the table above and the date at the top of this page. If a change would mean collecting new categories of data, we will reset stored consent so that the banner asks you again. Questions about cookies can be sent to [email protected]. Our Privacy Policy explains how personal data is handled more broadly.