Cookie Policy — PaperLens

1. What Is a Cookie?

A cookie is a small text file placed on your device by a website. Cookies allow a site to remember information about your visit — such as whether you are logged in — across page loads and browser sessions.

2. Cookies We Use

2.1 Essential Cookies (Always Active)

These cookies are strictly necessary to operate the service. Without them, core features like staying logged in cannot function. They cannot be disabled while you use PaperLens.

Supabase auth session cookies (sb-*-auth-token)
Purpose: Keeps you signed in across page loads.
Duration: Session / 7 days (rolling).
Set by: PaperLens (Supabase SSR client on our servers).
Cookie consent preference (pl_cookie_consent)
Purpose: Remembers whether you accepted or rejected analytics cookies so the banner does not reappear on every visit.
Duration: 365 days.
Set by: PaperLens.
Language preference (paperlens_locale)
Purpose: Remembers your chosen language so you do not need to reselect it.
Duration: 365 days.
Set by: PaperLens.
A/B headline test (pl_ab)
Purpose: Assigns you to a headline variant (A, B, or C) on the landing page so the variant stays consistent across visits.
Duration: 90 days.
Set by: PaperLens (client-side only, contains no personal data).

2.2 Analytics Cookies (Opt-In Only)

These cookies are only placed after you click Accept in the cookie banner. If you click Reject, these cookies are never set.

Google Analytics 4 (_ga, _ga_*)
Purpose: Measures aggregate page traffic and feature usage so we can improve the product. We use this data only in aggregate — we do not build individual profiles.
Duration: _ga — 2 years; _ga_* — 2 years.
Set by: Google (via our GA4 tag, loaded only after consent).

2.3 What We Do NOT Use

Advertising or retargeting cookies
Third-party tracking pixels or fingerprinting scripts
Social media tracking cookies (Facebook Pixel, LinkedIn Insight, etc.)
Cross-site tracking of any kind

3. How to Control Cookies

3.1 Cookie Banner

When you first visit PaperLens, a banner gives you the choice to Accept or Reject analytics cookies. You can change your preference at any time by clearing your browser cookies (which resets the pl_cookie_consent preference) and reloading the page.

3.2 Browser Settings

You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings. Note that blocking essential cookies (like the Supabase auth token) will prevent you from staying logged in.

Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
Safari: Settings → Safari → Privacy → Manage Website Data
Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Cookies and site data

3.3 Google Analytics Opt-Out

If you have accepted analytics cookies and later want to opt out, you can install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on or clear your cookies and click Reject when the banner reappears.

4. Changes to This Policy

If we add new cookies, we will update this page and, for material changes, notify registered users by email at least 14 days before the change takes effect.

5. Contact

Questions about our cookie use? Email us at privacy@paperlens.co.

2. Cookies We Use

2.1 Essential Cookies (Always Active)

These cookies are strictly necessary to operate the service. Without them, core features like staying logged in cannot function. They cannot be disabled while you use PaperLens.

Supabase auth session cookies (sb-*-auth-token)
Purpose: Keeps you signed in across page loads.
Duration: Session / 7 days (rolling).
Set by: PaperLens (Supabase SSR client on our servers).

Cookie consent preference (pl_cookie_consent)
Purpose: Remembers whether you accepted or rejected analytics cookies so the banner does not reappear on every visit.
Duration: 365 days.
Set by: PaperLens.

Language preference (paperlens_locale)
Purpose: Remembers your chosen language so you do not need to reselect it.
Duration: 365 days.
Set by: PaperLens.

A/B headline test (pl_ab)
Purpose: Assigns you to a headline variant (A, B, or C) on the landing page so the variant stays consistent across visits.
Duration: 90 days.
Set by: PaperLens (client-side only, contains no personal data).

2.2 Analytics Cookies (Opt-In Only)

These cookies are only placed after you click Accept in the cookie banner. If you click Reject, these cookies are never set.

Google Analytics 4 (_ga, _ga_*)
Purpose: Measures aggregate page traffic and feature usage so we can improve the product. We use this data only in aggregate — we do not build individual profiles.
Duration: _ga — 2 years; _ga_* — 2 years.
Set by: Google (via our GA4 tag, loaded only after consent).

2.3 What We Do NOT Use

Advertising or retargeting cookies

Third-party tracking pixels or fingerprinting scripts

Social media tracking cookies (Facebook Pixel, LinkedIn Insight, etc.)

Cross-site tracking of any kind

3. How to Control Cookies

3.1 Cookie Banner

3.2 Browser Settings

You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings. Note that blocking essential cookies (like the Supabase auth token) will prevent you from staying logged in.

Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data

Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data

Safari: Settings → Safari → Privacy → Manage Website Data

Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Cookies and site data

3.3 Google Analytics Opt-Out

If you have accepted analytics cookies and later want to opt out, you can install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on or clear your cookies and click Reject when the banner reappears.