This page explains what cookies are, which ones JournalMundi uses, and how you can control them. We keep our use of cookies minimal by design. This isn't a long document because it doesn't need to be.
What cookies are
A cookie is a small text file that a website places on your device when you visit. It gets sent back to the website on subsequent visits, allowing the site to recognise your browser. Cookies are not programs. They cannot execute code or carry viruses. What they can do is track behaviour, and that's where the privacy implications lie.
What we use and why
JournalMundi uses three categories of cookies.
Strictly necessary cookies keep the site functioning. They handle things like remembering your cookie preferences and maintaining session continuity if you're logged into a subscriber account. You cannot opt out of these and still use the site, but they collect no personal information beyond what is technically required.
Analytics cookies help us understand how people read JournalMundi. We use aggregated, anonymised data to see which articles are being read, how readers find us, and where they are in the world in broad regional terms. This data is never tied to an identifiable individual. We use it to make editorial decisions — to understand what's useful to our readers and what isn't.
Newsletter cookies remember whether you've already been shown a newsletter signup prompt, so we don't show it to you repeatedly once you've responded to it one way or another.
That's the complete list. We do not use advertising cookies. We do not use behavioural tracking cookies. We do not place cookies on behalf of third-party ad networks.
Third-Party Cookies
Some third-party services we use may set their own cookies. Our analytics provider operates under a data processing agreement that prohibits it from using data collected on our behalf for its own commercial purposes. Where we embed content from external sources — a video, a map, a data visualisation — those providers may set their own cookies when the embedded content loads. We try to minimise this. Where we can serve content without enabling third-party tracking, we do.
The honest answer here is shorter. If the site uses a privacy-respecting analytics tool, it may set its own cookie to count visits in aggregate — no individual tracking, no cross-site profiling. Embedded content from external sources, if any is present on a given page, may load cookies from those domains. We keep embeds to a minimum partly for this reason.
We do not embed social media widgets that track you across the web. Static share links are just links.
Your choices
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to block all cookies, block third-party cookies only, or delete cookies already stored on your device. Instructions vary by browser — search for "manage cookies" alongside your browser name for current guidance.
When you first visit JournalMundi, a banner will ask you to confirm your cookie preferences. You can change those preferences at any time by clearing your cookies and revisiting the site, or by contacting us directly.
Blocking strictly necessary cookies will affect how the site functions. Blocking analytics cookies will not affect your reading experience at all.
Retention
Strictly necessary cookies expire at the end of your browser session or within 12 months, depending on their function. Analytics cookies are retained for up to 13 months before being automatically deleted. Newsletter preference cookies are retained for 12 months.
Changes to this policy
If we change the cookies we use in any meaningful way, we will update this page and the date at the top of it. We will not quietly add tracking cookies between policy updates.
Contact
Questions about cookies or how we handle data can be sent here.
JournalMundi is independent. We answer to our readers and to the record.