Cookies
Last updated
Cookies are small files a site stores in your browser. “Local storage” is a similar store that stays on your device and isn't sent to the server. Here's everything BrighterTube uses.
BrighterTube's own cookies
| Name | Set when | Why | Lasts |
|---|---|---|---|
| lumen_voter | Only after you vote, report, suggest or send a message | A random ID (signed) so each person gets one vote and the forms can’t be spammed. Not linked to your name. | About 13 months |
| lumen.session_token | When you sign in | Keeps you signed in. Secure and http-only (on the live site its name starts with __Secure-). | 30 days, or until you sign out |
| lumen.session_data | When you’re signed in | A short-lived signed copy of your session so pages load faster. | 2 minutes |
| Google sign-in helpers | Only during “Continue with Google” | Protect the sign-in round trip with Google from tampering. | Minutes |
| lumen_admin | Editors only | Keeps an editor signed in to the editor desk. Visitors never get it. | 7 days |
All of these are strictly necessary for something you chose to do (vote, sign in, send a message), so they don't need a consent banner. Browsing and watching without doing any of those sets no BrighterTube cookie at all.
Local storage
If you're not signed in, your Saved list and watch history are kept in your browser's local storage, so they work without an account. They never leave your device. When you sign in, they move into your account and are cleared from the browser. Clearing your browser's site data removes them.
YouTube's player
Videos are embedded from youtube-nocookie.com, YouTube's privacy-enhanced mode. Loading a watch page doesn't set YouTube cookies. When you press play, YouTube (Google) may set its own cookies and local storage (for example YSC and VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE) to play the video, measure playback and serve ads. Those are YouTube's, under the Google Privacy Policy and the YouTube Terms of Service; BrighterTube can't read them.
Amazon
BrighterTube doesn't set any Amazon cookies. If you follow a book or tool link, Amazon uses its own cookies on amazon.com to credit the referral and run its store.
Your choices
- Your browser's settings let you see, block and delete cookies and site data. Blocking BrighterTube's cookies won't stop you browsing or watching, but you won't be able to sign in, vote or use the forms.
- To avoid YouTube's cookies, don't press play, or block third-party cookies for youtube-nocookie.com in your browser.
More about what we store and your rights is in the Privacy policy.