Cookie & Device Storage Policy
Effective date: 6 October 2026
Signal Atlas is designed to keep browser tracking deliberately light.
This Policy explains how we use cookies, localStorage, sessionStorage and related browser technologies.
1. What cookies are
Cookies are small pieces of information a website can store on a device.
Modern applications may also use:
- localStorage
- sessionStorage
- authentication tokens
- cache storage
- similar technologies
These technologies are not technically identical, but they can serve related purposes.
2. Necessary technology
Signal Atlas may use storage that is necessary to:
- authenticate a user
- maintain a secure session
- prevent fraud or abuse
- remember a requested return path after login
- maintain product security
- remember functionality explicitly requested by the user
- deliver core product features
Where permitted by applicable law, storage that is strictly necessary to provide a service explicitly requested by the user does not require optional tracking consent.
3. Local storage and session storage
Signal Atlas may use localStorage or sessionStorage for functionality such as:
- authentication state
- temporary user intent
- requested navigation
- interface preferences
- temporary conversation or workflow state
- other product functions
These technologies should not be used to create third-party behavioural advertising profiles.
4. Product analytics
Signal Atlas uses first-party product analytics to understand whether features work.
Product analytics may record events such as:
- saving an item
- creating a trip
- opening a map
- submitting an Ask Atlas request
- sharing a trip
- opening an external action
Where these analytics operate server-side without placing or reading a non-essential identifier on the user's device, they may not require a cookie banner.
If Signal Atlas later uses non-essential browser storage for analytics, that optional technology will be disabled until any legally required consent has been obtained.
5. Advertising
Signal Atlas does not currently use third-party behavioural advertising cookies.
Signal Atlas does not currently use:
- Meta Pixel
- cross-site advertising identifiers
- retargeting cookies
- third-party behavioural advertising networks
If that changes, this Policy and any consent mechanism must be updated before the new technology is activated.
6. Authentication providers
If you choose authentication from an external provider such as Google, that provider may use its own security or authentication technologies during the sign-in process.
Those technologies are governed by the provider's own policies when used on its systems.
7. Payment providers
Where Signal Atlas offers payment functionality, payment providers may use technologies required for:
- payment security
- fraud prevention
- checkout
- authentication
- transaction processing
Technologies controlled by the payment provider on its own checkout surfaces are governed by its own policies.
8. Optional technologies
If Signal Atlas activates optional analytics or other non-essential browser storage requiring consent, users should receive controls allowing them to:
- accept
- reject
- manage
- later withdraw consent
Optional technologies should not load before required consent.
9. No consent theatre
Signal Atlas should not present a cookie consent banner merely because cookie banners are common.
If only strictly necessary storage is being used, we prefer a clear Policy rather than an unnecessary consent interface.
10. Browser controls
Browsers allow users to remove or block storage.
Blocking necessary storage may interfere with:
- login
- security
- saved preferences
- other requested functionality
11. Changes
We will update this Policy if Signal Atlas introduces a material new category of browser storage or tracking technology.
12. Contact
Questions about browser storage or privacy can be sent to:
hello@signalatlas.guide