Cookies Policy
BigForkSteering operates a minimal-cookie policy. This page lists every cookie the site may set, what each is for, and how long it persists. Read alongside our privacy policy.
What we set
The site does not set any first-party tracking identifiers. Specifically: we do not store browser data for analytics, advertising, profiling, cross-site tracking, A/B testing, fingerprinting or any other behavioural purpose. The site can be browsed end-to-end with all browser storage blocked.
Infrastructure-set identifiers
The site is served by Cloudflare. Cloudflare may set the following strictly necessary identifiers when its security or performance features intervene:
- __cf_bm — Cloudflare bot management token. Distinguishes humans from automated bots to protect the site from abuse. Set only when Cloudflare’s bot-detection logic engages. Session-scoped (expires when you close your browser).
- cf_clearance — Cloudflare anti-DDoS challenge token. Set if you complete a security challenge (e.g., a CAPTCHA after a flagged request). Persists for up to 30 minutes.
Both are strictly necessary for the site to function under load and protect against abuse. They do not identify you across sites and cannot be used for advertising. Cloudflare’s own policy documents these in detail.
Third-party trackers
The site does not embed analytics, ad, or social-media widgets that would set third-party trackers. The site does load font files from Google Fonts; Google Fonts itself does not store tracking identifiers for font requests, but the request does send your IP to Google’s CDN. See privacy policy for the full third-party services list.
Controlling browser storage
You can block or clear all browser storage through your browser settings. Modern browsers expose this under Settings → Privacy. Blocking the strictly necessary tokens may degrade the site (you may face repeated security challenges) but the editorial content remains fully accessible.
Changes to this policy
If we add a cookie we will list it here and update the "Last reviewed" date. If you want notification of changes, the easiest method is to check this page periodically.
Contact
Cookie questions: editorial@bigforksteering.org or via the contact form.
Common Cookie Questions
Do you set tracking cookies?
No. BigForkSteering does not set cookies to track you across pages, build a profile, or follow you to other sites. Analytics are handled by Cloudflare Web Analytics, which works without dropping any client-side identifier in your browser. There is nothing to opt out of because there is nothing to opt into.
What cookies does this site actually use?
In normal use, none. The only situation where a cookie might be written is a short-lived session cookie if you submit a contact form, which exists only to stop the form being abused. It expires when you close the browser. No persistent identifiers, no advertising IDs, no remarketing pixels.
Can I disable cookies in my browser?
Yes, and the site will still work. Every modern browser lets you block or clear cookies for a specific domain through its privacy settings. Because the catalogue does not depend on cookies for browsing or reading articles, switching them off here has no visible effect on what you see.
Do you use third-party advertising cookies?
No. There is no display advertising on the site, no affiliate scripts that drop tracking cookies, and no embedded social widgets that phone home in the background. Outbound links go to developer pages, but anything those sites do with cookies is governed by their own policies, not ours.
Do you need my consent to set cookies?
Under PECR and UK GDPR, consent is only required for non-essential cookies. Since we use none of those, a consent banner would be theatre. If we ever add anything beyond the strictly necessary session cookie, this page is updated first and a proper consent prompt is added before the cookie is set.