Cookies allow us to keep the site running and, only with your consent, to measure traffic and display third-party content and adverts. Here you will find which tools we use, what they are for, and how to manage your preferences.
Session, login, language and security: strictly necessary, no consent required.
Google Analytics and Google Ads are activated only if you consent.
You can change or withdraw your consent whenever you wish.
What cookies and local storage are
Cookies are small text files that the site sends to the user's browser, where they are stored and, where applicable, sent back to the server on subsequent visits.
Local storage (such as localStorage and sessionStorage) instead allows the browser to keep certain information directly on the device. Unlike cookies, this data is not automatically transmitted to the server with every request: some values may be read by the application and used solely for technical functions requested by the user, such as signing in to the members' area or storing local preferences.
Depending on their function, cookies fall into two categories:
- technical cookies, which are necessary for the site to work or to deliver a service requested by the user;
- non-essential cookies — analytics, profiling, advertising or tracking cookies — which require consent.
Legal framework
The use of cookies and similar technologies is governed by Directive 2002/58/EC (ePrivacy), as implemented in Estonian electronic communications law, and by Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) where the use of such tools involves the processing of personal data.
Technical cookies that are strictly necessary for a service requested by the user are exempt from consent. Analytics and advertising cookies are set only with your prior consent; if no choice is made, the default is that they are refused.
Strictly necessary cookies
These cookies are essential for the site to function and cannot be switched off via the banner. They do not require the user's consent.
| Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| snp_lang_pref | Stores the user's preferred language so that content is displayed in the correct language. | Persistent, until changed or deleted |
| snp_user_token | Authentication token for registered users, set at login and required to keep the user signed in to their account area. | Session, or until logout/expiry |
| laravel_session | Server session cookie, required for the members' area and user sessions to work. | 120 minutes |
| XSRF-TOKEN | Security cookie protecting the site's forms and requests against CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery) attacks. | Session, or the technical duration required |
Blocking these cookies through your browser settings may prevent the site, the members' area, the login process and the security features from working properly.
Local storage
In addition to cookies, the site uses local storage technologies in the browser. Unless otherwise stated, this data remains on the user's device and is not automatically transmitted to the Controller's servers.
| Name | Purpose | Storage and duration |
|---|---|---|
| snp_cookie_consent | Records the choice made via the cookie banner (acceptance or refusal of non-essential cookies) so that your preferences are applied and the banner is not shown again. | localStorage, until deleted or the choice is updated |
| snp_user_token | Client-side technical copy of the authentication token, required for certain features of the account area. | localStorage, until logout/expiry or deletion |
| snp_reading_history | History of articles read and reading progress. This data remains on the device only and is not transmitted to the Controller's servers. | localStorage, until deleted by the user |
You can delete data stored in localStorage or sessionStorage at any time through your browser settings.
Analytics cookies — Google Analytics
The site uses Google Analytics, an analytics service provided by Google, to measure site traffic and usage in aggregate form and to improve our content. These cookies are set only with your prior consent and are not activated without it.
Google Analytics may set cookies and identifiers to recognise repeat visits and compile browsing statistics. Where available, the Controller favours settings that minimise data collection (for example, IP address anonymisation).
Advertising cookies — Google Ads
The site uses Google Ads for advertising. These cookies are used to display adverts, measure their performance and, where applicable, personalise them according to your interests. They are profiling/marketing cookies and are set only with your prior consent.
You can also manage your Google advertising preferences through your Google account settings and the opt-out tools provided by Google.
Fonts and payments
Cookie banner and consent management
On your first visit, the site displays a banner allowing you to accept or refuse non-essential cookies (analytics and advertising), with buttons given equal prominence. Technical cookies remain active at all times and do not require consent.
Your choice is recorded in snp_cookie_consent and applied on subsequent visits. You may change or withdraw your consent at any time, as easily as you gave it; withdrawal does not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal.
If you make no choice, no analytics or advertising cookies are set: the default option is refusal.
Managing cookies through your browser
Independently of the site's banner, you can view, block and delete cookies and clear local storage through your browser settings. Browser settings, however, do not allow granular consent management by category.
If you disable technical cookies, some features of the site may not be available.
Transfers to third countries
Some third-party providers (e.g. Google and Stripe) may also process data outside the European Economic Area, in particular in the United States. Such transfers take place on the basis of the safeguards provided for by the GDPR — namely the EU–US Data Privacy Framework, where the provider is certified under it, or the European Commission's Standard Contractual Clauses. Further details are available in the individual providers' notices and in the site's Privacy Policy.
Controller and contact details
For full information on the processing of personal data, the legal bases, data subjects' rights and transfers to third countries, please refer to the site's Privacy Policy.
Changes to this notice
The Controller may update this notice in the event of changes to the cookies used, the local storage technologies, the external services or the applicable legal framework. The current version is always published on this page, together with the date of the most recent update.