1. What are cookies and similar technologies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. Similar technologies include local storage, session storage, pixels, and software development kits that store or read identifiers on your device. This Policy uses “cookies” to refer to all of these unless we specify otherwise.
2. Who is responsible?
SA Verified News determines the purposes of cookies we set on https://saverifiednews.co.za. Third parties may set their own cookies if you use embeds or external services; those parties are responsible for their technologies.
3. Types of cookies we use
| Category | Purpose | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Strictly necessary | Required for core operation, security, load balancing, fraud prevention, and remembering essential preferences such as cookie consent. | Session continuity, CSRF/security tokens, load routing |
| Preferences | Remember choices you make (for example colour theme: light, dark, or system). | Theme preference stored as theme in local storage |
| Analytics & performance | Understand how the Service is used, page views, card interactions, time spent, so we can improve content, reliability, and public rankings (e.g. most read). Data may be processed on our API / analytics infrastructure. | First-party analytics events, session or device identifiers |
| Functional media | Support video/audio players and remember player-related settings where applicable. | Player preferences (if any) |
We do not use third-party advertising cookies for cross-site behavioural advertising on the Service as of the Last updated date. If that changes, we will update this Policy and obtain consent where required.
4. Legal basis
Strictly necessary cookies are used on the basis of our legitimate interests in providing a secure Service and, where applicable, to perform a contract with you. Preference and analytics cookies are used on legitimate interests balanced against your rights and/or consent where required by law. You can control non-essential technologies as described below.
5. Duration
- Session cookies expire when you close your browser.
- Persistent cookies / local storage remain until they expire, are cleared by you, or are overwritten (for example theme preference until you change it).
6. Your controls
6.1 Browser settings
Most browsers let you refuse or delete cookies. Blocking all cookies may break essential features (including theme persistence or authenticated office tools). Consult your browser’s help documentation.
6.2 Theme preference
You can switch light, dark, or system theme using the control in the site header. Clearing site data will reset this preference.
6.3 Cookie settings
Use the Cookie settings link in the site footer to accept or refuse first-party analytics at any time. Your choice is stored locally as sv_cookie_consent. Refusing analytics does not affect access to news content.
6.4 Do Not Track
There is no uniform industry standard for “Do Not Track” browser signals. We currently do not respond to DNT signals in a differentiated way; we manage analytics as described in this Policy and our Privacy Policy.
7. Editorial office systems
Authenticated office applications use additional cookies (for example session cookies issued by our authentication provider) that are essential to keep staff signed in and enforce access control. Those cookies are not used for public advertising.
8. Updates
We may revise this Cookie Policy when our practices or technologies change. Check the Last updated date at the top of this page.
9. Contact
Privacy questions: privacy@saverifiednews.co.za