Cookie Policy – Guardian

Cookie Policy

Effective Date: 01 Aug 2025

This Cookie Policy explains how Guardian (“we,” “us,” or “our”) uses cookies and similar technologies on our website. It should be read together with our Privacy Policy.

1) What are cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They help the site remember your actions and preferences. We also use similar technologies such as pixels, local storage, and tags (collectively, “cookies”).

2) Who sets cookies?

  • First-party cookies: set by Guardian.
  • Third-party cookies: set by other companies (e.g., analytics or advertising providers).

3) Why we use cookies

  • Strictly necessary: to run core site features (e.g., page navigation, security, cookie consent).
  • Functional: to remember choices (e.g., language, saved form data).
  • Analytics: to understand site usage and improve performance (e.g., page views, errors).
  • Advertising/retargeting (if enabled): to show relevant ads and measure campaign effectiveness.

4) Cookies we use

Cookie(s) Provider Purpose Type Duration
__cf_bm, _cfuvid, cf_clearance Cloudflare Bot protection, rate-limiting, and remembering challenge pass. Strictly necessary (first-party) Varies (see browser “Expires”)
sbjs_current, sbjs_current_add Sourcebuster Stores current visit source/medium/campaign for attribution. Analytics (first-party) Session
sbjs_first, sbjs_first_add Sourcebuster Stores first-touch source/medium/campaign. Analytics (first-party) Varies (see browser “Expires”)
sbjs_session Sourcebuster Marks the boundary of a visit/session. Analytics (first-party) Session
sbjs_udata, sbjs_migrations Sourcebuster Persists/updates attribution data across visits. Analytics (first-party) Varies (see browser “Expires”)
tk_or, tk_r3d Jetpack / WordPress.com Stats Referrer/redirect information for site statistics. Analytics (first-party) Varies (see browser “Expires”)

Note: Cookie names and durations may change as services are updated. We periodically scan the site and update this list.

5) Your choices

  • Consent banner / preferences: You can accept, reject, or customize non-essential cookies via our cookie banner or preferences center (where available). You can change your choice at any time.
  • Browser settings: You can block or delete cookies in your browser. Note that some features may not work without necessary cookies.
  • Global Privacy Control (GPC): If your browser sends a GPC signal, we will treat it as a request to limit certain sharing where required by law.

6) Do Not Sell or Share (California)

If you are a California resident and we use advertising or analytics cookies that constitute a “sale” or “share” under the CPRA, you may opt-out via the banner/preferences center or by visiting: Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information.

7) International users

Where required (e.g., in the EEA/UK), we request consent before placing non-essential cookies. You may withdraw consent at any time through the banner/preferences center.

8) How to manage cookies (helpful links)

9) Updates to this policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time. When we make material changes, we will update the “Effective Date” above and, where required, request consent again.

10) Contact us

Questions? Email us at [email protected].