1. What is a cookie?
A cookie is a small text file a website stores on your device. It lets the site remember things about you — like the fact you're signed in — between page loads and visits. Most modern browsers let you see and delete cookies from their settings menu.
2. The categories we use
Strictly necessary
Required for the platform to work. You can't switch these off without breaking sign-in, payments, or page navigation. We use:
- Authentication session cookies — store your session token so you stay signed in. Set by our auth provider; cleared when you sign out.
- CSRF and rate-limit cookies — protect form submissions and prevent abuse.
- Cookie-consent record — remembers which optional cookies you've allowed so we don't ask every visit.
Functional
Remember choices you've made to give a better experience.
- UI preferences — remembered filters in the directory, sidebar collapsed state, etc.
- Billing-cycle toggle — keeps your monthly/annual choice on pricing pages.
Analytics
Help us understand how the platform is used so we can improve it. These rely on aggregated, pseudonymous data — we don't sell it.
- First-party analytics — page views, profile views, search impressions. Stored in our own database.
- Hosting analytics (where enabled) — anonymous page-view counts and performance metrics provided by our hosting platform. No personal identifiers.
Marketing
We currently do not use third-party advertising cookies. If that changes, we will update this page and ask for opt-in consent before they're set.
3. Third-party services
Some embedded services may set their own cookies when you interact with them:
- Payment processor — sets cookies when you open the checkout to detect fraud and maintain your session with the payment provider.
- Social platforms — if we ever embed an Instagram, TikTok or YouTube preview directly, those services may set their own cookies. We avoid this where possible.
4. How to control cookies
- In Flarr — manage optional cookies from the consent banner the first time you visit, or anytime via account settings.
- In your browser — clear cookies, block third-party cookies, or use private browsing. Note: blocking strictly necessary cookies will break sign-in.
- Do Not Track — we honour the browser's Do Not Track header by disabling non-essential analytics for that session.
5. Changes
If we change which cookies we set, we will update this page and, for material changes, prompt you for fresh consent.
6. Contact
Questions about cookies? Email support@starlightgroupsa.co.za.