Cookie Policy

1. What Are Cookies

Cookies are small text files stored on your device by your web browser when you visit a website. They allow the website to remember your actions and preferences over time — for example, your theme choice or your cookie consent decision.

Cookies are not programs and cannot run code on your device. They cannot access files on your hard drive, install malware, or transmit personal data by themselves. They simply store small pieces of information that the website can read back later.

In addition to cookies, websites often use browser storage APIs such as localStorage and sessionStorage. These work similarly to cookies but can hold more data and are not automatically sent with every HTTP request. We use localStorage for things like theme and language preferences; we treat it with the same care as cookies under this policy.

PrivacyScanPDF does not use cookies to identify you personally unless you have explicitly consented to analytics or advertising cookies that may set pseudonymous identifiers.

2. Types of Cookies We Use

We group the cookies and storage we use into four categories. Only the first category is set without your consent — the others require your opt-in via the cookie banner.

2.1 Essential Cookies (Always On)

These are strictly necessary for the Service to function and to remember your consent choices. Without them, the site cannot operate properly. You cannot opt out of these via the banner, but you can clear them from your browser at any time (see Section 4).

• cookie_consent — remembers whether you have accepted or rejected analytics and advertising cookies. Duration: 12 months.
• theme — remembers your light/dark theme preference. Stored in localStorage.
• pwa_install_dismissed — remembers that you dismissed the install banner. Stored in localStorage.
• Lemon Squeezy checkout cookies — set on the Lemon Squeezy domain during the checkout flow; governed by Lemon Squeezy's privacy policy.

2.2 Analytics Cookies (Opt-In)

If you opt in, we set Google Analytics 4 (GA4) cookies to measure aggregated traffic, page views, and conversion funnels. These cookies are pseudonymous and do not identify you personally. We use this information to understand which tools are most used, where users encounter friction, and how to improve the Service.

• _ga — distinguishes unique users. Duration: 2 years.
• _ga_<container-id> — maintains session state for GA4. Duration: 2 years.
• _gid — distinguishes users per day. Duration: 24 hours.

If you would like to opt out of Google Analytics across all websites, install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

2.3 Advertising Cookies (Opt-In)

If you opt in and Google AdSense is enabled on the site, AdSense may set advertising cookies to serve interest-based advertising. These cookies allow Google and its partners to display ads based on your prior visits to this and other websites.

• __gads / __gpi — serves and measures advertising. Duration: 13 months.
• IDE — used by DoubleClick for targeted advertising. Duration: 13 months.

You can manage Google's advertising settings and opt out of personalized advertising at adssettings.google.com.

2.4 Functional Cookies (Opt-In)

Functional storage enhances your experience by remembering preferences. These are stored in localStorage rather than as HTTP cookies, but we treat them under the same consent framework.

• language — stores your selected UI language. Duration: persistent (until cleared).
• conversion_history — stores your last few conversion records so you can re-download outputs. This data stays in your browser and is never transmitted to our servers. Duration: persistent (until cleared).

3. Third-Party Cookies

The Service uses a small number of third-party services that may set their own cookies when you interact with them. We do not control these cookies — they are governed by the respective third party's privacy policy.

3.1 Lemon Squeezy (Checkout)

When you click a checkout button, you are redirected to a page on the Lemon Squeezy domain. Lemon Squeezy may set session cookies required to maintain your cart and process payment. These cookies are essential to checkout and cannot be disabled if you wish to make a purchase. Privacy policy: lemonsqueezy.com/privacy.

3.2 Google (Analytics & AdSense)

If you have consented, Google sets the analytics and advertising cookies listed in Section 2. Google's privacy policy is at policies.google.com/privacy.

3.3 CDN & Hosting

Our CDN and hosting provider may set technical cookies required to deliver static assets (fonts, JavaScript, images) efficiently. These cookies do not track you and are typically deleted when you close your browser.

4. Managing Cookies

You have two layers of control over cookies on the Service:

4.1 Our Consent Banner

On your first visit, the consent banner asks whether you want to accept or reject analytics and advertising cookies. Your choice is stored in the cookie_consent cookie for 12 months. To change your choice at any time, look for the “Cookie settings” link in the footer or clear the cookie_consent cookie from your browser.

4.2 Browser Settings

You can also control cookies directly from your browser settings. Most browsers let you:

• View all cookies currently stored on your device.
• Block all cookies or only third-party cookies.
• Clear cookies when you close the browser.
• Allow cookies only for specific sites.

Browser-specific instructions:

• Google Chrome
• Mozilla Firefox
• Apple Safari
• Microsoft Edge

Note: Blocking all cookies may break certain features of the Service (for example, the consent banner itself will not be able to remember your choice). Essential cookies cannot be disabled and still use the Service.

5. Cookie Duration

Cookies fall into two broad categories based on duration:

• Session cookies — deleted when you close your browser. Used for things like the Lemon Squeezy checkout flow.
• Persistent cookies — remain on your device until they expire or you delete them. Durations are listed in the table below.

Summary of the maximum durations we set:

• Essential consent cookie: 12 months.
• Analytics (GA4): 2 years.
• Advertising (AdSense): 13 months.
• Functional (localStorage): persistent until cleared.

6. Full Cookie Table

The table below lists every cookie and browser storage item that the Service may set, either directly or through third-party scripts that you have consented to.

Note: Third-party cookie names and durations are controlled by the third party and may change without notice. We update this table when we become aware of material changes.

7. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the cookies we use, in our third-party services, or in applicable law. When we do, we will revise the “Last updated” date at the top of this page.

If we add a new category of cookies (for example, a new analytics provider), we will re-display the consent banner so you can make an informed choice about the new cookies.

8. Contact

If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy or the cookies we use, please contact us:

• Email: privacy@privacyscanpdf.com
• General support: support@privacyscanpdf.com