Cookies Policy

Last updated: 2 November 2026

What Cookies and Similar Technologies Are

Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They store information that helps websites function properly and remember user preferences over time. Similar technologies include web beacons, pixels, and local storage that can access or store data on your browser or device. These tools can record details such as your IP address, browser type, pages visited, and time spent on the site. In the context of an entertainment magazine focused on celebrity culture and South African entertainment, they enable tailored content recommendations without requiring repeated logins or manual selections.

Why the Site Uses These Technologies

Sleuthzy.org operates a commercial entertainment platform that covers celebrity news, film releases, music events, and local cultural stories in South Africa. Cookies support essential navigation, load balancing, and security checks that keep the site reliable for readers. They also allow measurement of article popularity, helping editors prioritise stories about South African celebrities and entertainment trends. Without these tools the site could not maintain smooth performance or deliver relevant features such as saved reading lists.

Categories of Cookies and Their Roles

Strictly necessary cookies handle core functions including session management and fraud prevention; these cannot be switched off. Functional cookies remember choices such as language or display preferences for celebrity photo galleries. Analytics or performance cookies track aggregated visitor behaviour to improve loading speeds and content layout. Advertising or targeting cookies deliver promotions for entertainment events and related products while limiting repetition. Social-media cookies enable sharing of articles about local stars on external platforms when users choose to interact.

First-Party Versus Third-Party Cookies

First-party cookies are set directly by Sleuthzy.org and stay within our domain. They manage login status for registered readers and store basic preferences. Third-party cookies come from external providers that supply analytics, advertising networks, or content delivery services. These may track activity across multiple sites to build profiles for targeted entertainment advertising. Both types are listed in the table below with their specific purposes and durations.

Session Versus Persistent Cookies and Retention Periods

Session cookies exist only while the browser remains open and are deleted when the session ends. They support temporary actions such as adding articles to a reading queue. Persistent cookies remain on the device for a set period or until manually removed. Retention ranges from a few days for performance testing up to twenty-four months for advertising identifiers, always aligned with the shortest period needed to fulfil the stated purpose under South African data-protection expectations.

Data Handled and Purpose of Each Category

Strictly necessary cookies process device identifiers and security tokens to prevent unauthorised access. Functional cookies store display settings and language selections. Analytics cookies collect page-view counts, referral sources, and device information in aggregated form. Advertising cookies capture interest signals such as entertainment topics viewed. Social-media cookies transmit article URLs when sharing occurs. All processing remains limited to what is required for site operation and does not extend to creating detailed individual profiles beyond consented advertising uses.

Consent or Exemption Basis Under South African Law

Under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), strictly necessary cookies operate on the basis of legitimate interests because they are essential for the site to function. Functional, analytics, advertising, and social-media categories rely on prior consent obtained through the site-wide cookie banner. Visitors may refuse or withdraw consent at any time without affecting access to basic content. The banner records choices and applies them across subsequent visits within the retention limits set for each category.

Cookie Provider Table

Name: _ga; Purpose: distinguishes unique visitors for analytics; Provider: Google Analytics; Category: analytics; Duration: 2 years
Name: _gid; Purpose: stores information about how visitors use the site; Provider: Google Analytics; Category: analytics; Duration: 24 hours
Name: _fbp; Purpose: delivers advertisements and measures campaign results; Provider: Meta; Category: advertising; Duration: 3 months
Name: cookie_consent; Purpose: records consent preferences; Provider: Sleuthzy.org; Category: strictly necessary; Duration: 12 months

How the Consent Manager Works

The site-wide cookie banner appears on first visit and offers granular choices for each non-essential category. Selecting options and clicking save stores the decision in a first-party cookie. Users may reopen the banner via a link in the footer to review or alter selections at any time. Withdrawing consent immediately stops further setting of the affected cookies and deletes those already placed where technically feasible.

Browser-Level Controls and Consequences of Disabling Cookies

Most browsers allow blocking or deleting cookies through settings menus. Disabling strictly necessary cookies will prevent core site functions such as secure article loading. Blocking analytics cookies reduces our ability to improve content relevance but does not stop access. Persistent advertising cookies can be cleared manually; however, new visits may trigger fresh consent requests. These controls operate independently of the site banner and may affect functionality across all websites.

International Transfers

Some third-party providers process data outside South Africa. Transfers occur only when appropriate safeguards exist, such as standard contractual clauses. Details appear in the Privacy Policy, which explains how personal information is protected during such transfers and how readers may exercise rights under POPIA.

Policy Changes and Contact Route

Sleuthzy.org may update this Cookies Policy to reflect new technologies or legal requirements. The last-updated date at the top indicates the current version. Questions about cookie practices should be directed to [email protected] or through the contact form on the Contacts page. Written correspondence may be sent to 52 Roodebloem Road, Woodstock, Cape Town, 7915, South Africa. This policy works together with the Privacy Policy and the site footer text Sleuthzy.org | Company Registration Number: 1998/012354/07 | Registered Office: 52 Roodebloem Road, Woodstock, Cape Town, 7915, South Africa | Email: [email protected].