Cookie Policy
Last updated October 31, 2026
Chatw does not set cookies of its own and does not use tracking or analytics cookies. It uses your browser’s local storage for a few small things, and a cookie can only appear from our host’s security layer or from an advertiser’s creative. This page explains each.
1. What we store in your browser
Local storage is a browser feature similar to cookies except that it is never sent automatically with requests. We keep:
- chatsite.identity.v1: your anonymous identity (random ID, display name, colour, tags) and the signed token that proves it is yours. Strictly necessary; without it you would get a new name on every page load. Kept until you clear site data or sign out.
- chatsite.ageConfirmed.v1: a single flag saying you confirmed you are 18 or older so the age screen is not shown again on this device. Kept until you clear site data.
- chatsite.onboarded.v1: a single flag saying the welcome step has been shown so it is not shown again. Kept until you clear site data.
- chatsite.people.onlineOnly.v1: whether the people list hides people who are offline. Absent until you use the eye button above the list. Kept until you clear site data.
- chatsite.theme.v1: whether you picked dark or light mode with the toggle in the top bar. Absent until you use the toggle; without it the site follows your device setting. Kept until you clear site data.
- chatsite.highContrast.v1: whether you turned the high-contrast colour mode on in the display settings. Absent until you use that setting; your dark or light choice is kept for when you turn it off. Kept until you clear site data.
2. Cookies from our host
In response to suspected automated traffic, or when the human check is on, the company that hosts the site may set strictly necessary security cookies. They identify a browser session for bot protection only, carry no personal profile, and expire within a day.
3. Cookies from advertisers
Ad placements are shown inside an isolated frame. A plain image ad sets nothing. If an advertiser supplies a script-based creative, that script runs in the sandbox and may set cookies under the advertiser’s own domain, exactly as it would on any site. Those cookies are controlled by the advertiser, not by us; we never read them and the sandbox prevents them from reading your identity.
We do not run ad networks that build interest profiles. Our ad placements are sold directly and are not personalised to you.
4. Third-party content you choose to load
GIFs from the picker, and pasted GIF links, load from outside GIF services. Profile pictures and images in messages are served from our own storage. Loading a GIF sends a normal image request to that service, which may set its own cookies as any website does.
5. Managing all of this
- To start over with a fresh identity, open your profile and sign out, or clear this site’s data in your browser settings.
- To refuse cookies entirely, set your browser to block third-party cookies. The chat continues to work because it does not depend on cookies.
- Blocking local storage will make the site give you a new identity on every visit; everything else still works.
6. Questions
Use the contact page at /contact.