Cookies

Last updated 2026-08-11

This page explains what cookies and similar storage Thought Wave uses, what happens when you accept or reject categories, and how long your choices last.

1. What a cookie is

A cookie is a small text file your browser stores when a site asks it to. LocalStorage is similar but stays in the browser until cleared. I use both for your consent choice so the banner does not reappear every time you visit.

2. What this site sets

sg_blog_consent — stores your cookie preferences as URL-encoded JSON for about six months (180 days), path /, SameSite=Lax. cookie_consent_v1 — a localStorage mirror of the same JSON for faster reads. Both are written when you click Accept all, Reject all, or Save choices in the customise panel.

3. Categories

Essential — always on. Required to remember that you answered the banner. Without this, the site would ask you on every page load.

Functional / embedded content — covers Google Maps iframes on every page. On Thought Wave, maps are classified as functional and remain loaded even if you reject non-essential categories. I chose this because a blank map on a page about place felt worse than being transparent about it. Google may still set its own cookies according to its policy.

Analytics — off by default and not used. The toggle exists so the panel is honest if I ever add privacy-respecting analytics later. Currently no analytics scripts run on pages I control.

4. Accept all

Sets essential=true, functional=true, analytics=false, records a timestamp in SGT, hides the banner, and persists for six months across reloads and page navigation.

5. Reject all

Sets essential=true, functional=false, analytics=false. The banner hides and the choice persists. Maps still load on this site because they are treated as functional embeds, as stated above. No analytics runs.

6. Customise

7. Manage cookies

Use the button below to reopen the panel at any time. Your saved state appears in the toggles and you can overwrite it with a new Save.

8. Google Maps

Every page embeds a neighbourhood-scale Google Map of the Bishan area. The iframe loads from google.com and may allow Google to collect usage data under its terms. I do not receive that data. I do not use a Maps API key or JavaScript SDK — only the standard shareable embed.

9. Clearing cookies

In Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Delete browsing data → Cookies. In Firefox: Settings → Privacy → Cookies and Site Data → Manage Data. In Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data. After clearing, the banner will appear again on your next visit.

10. Retention

Consent choices expire after about six months unless you clear them sooner. I do not claim storage forever. When the cookie expires, the banner may return so you can confirm your choice again.

11. Contact

Questions about cookies: [email protected]. Privacy notice: privacy.

12. No analytics today

I do not currently use Google Analytics, Matomo, Plausible, or any similar service on pages I control. If that changes, I will update this page, adjust the consent panel defaults, and describe the new service in plain language before it runs.

13. JavaScript disabled

If JavaScript is unavailable, the site remains readable and the maps still load because they are ordinary iframes. The consent banner may not persist your choice without JavaScript, so you may see it on each visit until you enable scripting or clear the session.