Cookie Policy
What cookies are
Cookies are small text files that a website or app stores on your device so it can remember things between sessions — most importantly, that you are logged in. Some are essential for the service to function; others serve analytics, advertising, or personalisation purposes.
How AstroNoir.ai uses cookies
We are deliberately minimal. We use essential cookies to keep you logged in, and Google Analytics 4 (via Google Tag Manager) for product analytics. We do not run cross-site advertising cookies or third-party behavioural-profiling pixels on our web pages. Analytics is consent-based — see the section below.
Essential cookies (always on)
| Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
astronoir_session |
Keeps you logged in between page loads. Without this you cannot use the Service. | Session / 30 days |
connect.sid |
Express session identifier (signed, HTTP-only). | Session |
Essential cookies are set on the basis of legitimate interest (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR) and the "strictly necessary" exemption under the ePrivacy Directive — no consent banner is required for them.
Analytics cookies (consent-based)
We use Google Analytics 4, loaded through Google Tag Manager (both Google LLC), to measure how features are used and how engaged our users are. These set first-party cookies on the astronoir.ai domain:
| Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
_ga |
Google Analytics — distinguishes unique users. | 2 years |
_ga_<id> |
Google Analytics 4 — persists session state per property. | 2 years |
The legal basis is your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR; Reg. 6 PECR in the UK). We operate Google Consent Mode v2: in the UK, EU/EEA and Switzerland, analytics and advertising storage are denied by default and these cookies are written only after you accept our cookie banner. In other regions analytics is enabled by default and you may opt out at any time via the banner. Choosing Reject stops further analytics cookies; existing ones can be cleared with the browser controls below.
Local storage (not cookies, but similar)
We use your browser's localStorage to remember small UI preferences such as whether you have dismissed the PWA install prompt or accepted the entertainment disclaimer. This data never leaves your device and is never transmitted to our servers.
Third-party cookies & identifiers
Google AdMob (Android app — Free tier only)
The AstroNoir Android app (Free tier) uses Google AdMob to display advertisements. AdMob does not use browser cookies — instead it uses the Android Advertising ID (AAID), a resettable device-level identifier managed by your Android OS. Google may use the AAID along with your IP address and contextual signals to serve relevant ads and measure their performance. This processing is carried out by Google LLC under its own privacy policy and is independent of our web cookie policy.
To opt out of ad personalisation or reset your AAID:
- Android: Settings → Privacy → Ads → Reset Advertising ID or Opt out of Ads Personalisation
- Online: adssettings.google.com
Upgrading to a paid plan (Starter or Pro) removes all advertising from the app entirely.
Google Play (Android app — billing)
When you subscribe through the Android app, Google Play handles the payment flow within its own secure environment. Any identifiers or session data used during checkout are governed by Google's Privacy Policy.
Google Maps API
When you enter a birth place or city during onboarding or in the Location Scan feature, your input is sent to Google's Geocoding API to resolve it to coordinates and timezone. Only the place name string is sent — no other personal data. Google may set cookies or identifiers on its own endpoints governed by Google's privacy policy.
How to control browser cookies
You can clear or block cookies using your browser settings:
- Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
- Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
- Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
- Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions
Blocking the essential session cookie will prevent you from logging in. The Service cannot function correctly without it.
Do Not Track
We honour the Do Not Track browser signal. Since we do not run cross-site tracking or advertising on our web pages, this signal has no practical effect there. For ad personalisation on the Android app, use the Android Ads settings described above.
Changes to this policy
If we introduce additional cookies or tracking technologies in future, we will update this page and, where required by law, request your consent before any non-essential cookies are set.
Contact
Questions? [email protected]