Cookie Policy
Our digital portal uses cookie indicators to run correctly and gather reading analytics. This document outlines how The Stratum Media (Pty) Ltd implements these technologies in complete compliance with South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and modern advertising regulations.
1. Basic Terminology
A cookie consists of a tiny txt sequence stored inside your terminal folder when you explore web platforms. They enable the host system to recall preferences, safety statuses, and help monitor performance over time.
2. Google Consent Mode v2 Standards
To maximize reader privacy, we operate under Google Consent Mode v2 (advanced protocol). Before you click choices on our cookies banner, cookies categorizations associated with analytics, personal advertising, and metadata targeting are entirely turned off ('denied'). Functional, strictly safe, and structural signals are permanently activated to allow immediate page loads.
3. Categorized Breakdown of Cookies
| Classification | Usage Intent | Consent Mode Parameters | Default Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Necessary | Maintains portal security and preserves login tokens | security_storage, functionality_storage | Granted |
| Analytics | Helps us evaluate which investigative reports are popular | analytics_storage | Denied |
| Marketing | Improves target recommendations and subscription matches | ad_storage, ad_user_data, ad_personalization | Denied |
4. Active Cookies on our Domain
| Cookie Name | Category | Source | Function | Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| bf_consent | Necessary | First-party | Remembers your consent settings | 365 Days |
| _ga | Analytics | Google Analytics | Calculates page impressions and visitors | 2 Years |
| _gat | Analytics | Google Analytics | Limits speed of platform requests | 1 Minute |
5. Controlling Choices
You can adjust, grant, or revoke your consent at any time. Simply click the "Cookie Settings" trigger visible in the footer of any page on our site. This will display our consent window, letting you update your settings. Additionally, you can configure your browser to reject cookies completely.
Last Updated: May 15, 2026