Cookie Policy
Last updated: June 2026
This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are, how Daily Watch Reports uses them, and the choices available to you. It should be read alongside our Privacy Policy, which provides broader context on how we handle personal data.
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that a website places on your device when you visit. They are widely used to make websites work efficiently and to provide information to site owners. Cookies cannot execute programs or deliver viruses; they simply store small pieces of data that can be read by the website that set them.
Beyond traditional cookies, similar technologies include pixel tags (tiny transparent images that track page views), local storage (data saved in your browser), and session storage. We use the word “cookies” in this policy to refer to all of these technologies collectively.
Categories of Cookies We Use
1. Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for the site to function. Without them, services you have requested — such as navigating between pages securely or remembering your cookie preferences — cannot be provided. Because they are strictly necessary, they do not require your consent.
Examples include:
- Session cookies that keep you logged in during a visit (if you use any account-based features)
- A cookie that records your consent choices so we don’t ask again on every page load
- Security tokens that protect forms from cross-site request forgery
2. Analytics Cookies
We use analytics cookies to understand how visitors interact with our site — which pages are read most, how long readers stay, what content drives return visits, and where technical problems occur. This information helps us improve our journalism and user experience. None of this data identifies you personally; it is processed in aggregate or pseudonymous form.
Google Analytics 4 (GA4): We use GA4, operated by Google LLC. GA4 sets the following cookies on our domain:
_ga— Distinguishes users. Expires after 2 years._ga_[ID]— Used to maintain session state. Expires after 2 years._gid— Distinguishes users. Expires after 24 hours.
GA4 anonymises IP addresses before they reach Google’s servers. Data collected is governed by Google’s Privacy Policy. You can opt out of GA4 across all websites using the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
3. Advertising Cookies
Daily Watch Reports is supported by advertising. We work with Google AdSense and other programmatic ad networks that use cookies to serve relevant advertisements and measure campaign performance. These cookies track your browsing activity across websites to build a profile of your interests.
Google AdSense / DoubleClick: Google uses the DART cookie (set from the domain doubleclick.net) to serve ads based on your visits to this and other sites. Key advertising cookies include:
IDE(doubleclick.net) — Used by Google to register and report a user’s actions after viewing or clicking an ad. Expires after approximately 13 months.test_cookie(doubleclick.net) — Checks whether the user’s browser supports cookies. Expires after 15 minutes.NID(google.com) — Stores preferences and other information, used to display personalised ads. Expires after 6 months.
Other advertising partners may also set cookies. Their use of cookies is governed by their own privacy policies.
How Long Do Cookies Last?
Cookies are either session cookies — which are deleted when you close your browser — or persistent cookies, which remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them. The specific expiry periods for named cookies are listed above. Advertising cookies tend to have longer lifespans to enable cross-session frequency capping and attribution.
Third-Party Cookies
Some cookies on our pages are set by third-party services we embed or link to, including Google (Analytics, AdSense, YouTube embeds), social media platforms (Twitter/X, Facebook), and content distribution networks. We have no direct control over third-party cookies. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of these services:
How to Control Cookies
You have several options for managing cookies:
Browser Settings
Most browsers allow you to view, block, or delete cookies through their settings menus. The steps vary by browser:
- Google Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
- Mozilla Firefox: Preferences → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
- Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
- Microsoft Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions
Note that blocking all cookies may break some site functionality, including comment submission and preference memory.
Opt-Out Tools for Advertising
- Google Ads Settings — control how Google uses your data for personalised ads
- Digital Advertising Alliance opt-out (aboutads.info)
- Your Online Choices (youronlinechoices.com) — for EEA users
- Network Advertising Initiative opt-out
Do Not Track
Some browsers send a “Do Not Track” signal. Our site does not currently alter its behaviour in response to Do Not Track signals, because there is no consistent industry standard for how to interpret them. We will reassess this if a recognised standard emerges.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect changes in our practices or in applicable law. When we do, we will update the “Last updated” date above. We recommend reviewing this page periodically.
Questions
If you have questions about our use of cookies, contact us at [email protected].