Cookie Policy
Last updated: 7 October 2026 · thedessertdetective.com
Your choice
Strictly necessary storage can’t be switched off. Preferences are set only when you ask for them. Analytics is off unless you switch it on.
What this covers
Cookies are small files a website stores in your browser. We also use your browser’s local storage and session storage, which stay on your device and aren’t sent with every request. This page lists everything the site stores, why, and for how long.
Our own visitor counts don’t use cookies or store anything on your device: see section 3 of the privacy notice. We don’t use advertising cookies, tracking pixels or remarketing.
Strictly necessary
Set only when you use the feature they belong to. The site can’t work without them, so they can’t be switched off.
| Name | What it does | How long |
|---|---|---|
| dd_user (local storage) | Keeps you signed in to your site account (a signed token) | Until you sign out; ends after 7 days without use, 30 days at most |
| dd_biz_account (local storage) | Keeps you signed in to the business portal | Until you sign out; ends after 2 hours without use, 7 days at most |
| dd_admin_token (local storage) | Our team’s admin sign-in | 30 minutes without use, 12 hours at most |
| dd_last_activity, dd_signout_event (local storage) | Signs you out after a period without activity, in every open tab | While you are signed in |
| dd_contrib (cookie) | Set when you tap the link in a quick-review confirmation email, so later quick reviews from this device go live without another email. A signed reference, not your email | 90 days |
| dd_cookie_consent, dd_cookie_prefs (local storage) | Remembers your choice in this banner | Until you clear your browser storage |
| dd_terms_ok (local storage) | Remembers that you accepted the current terms, so we don’t ask again (signed-in only) | Until the terms change |
Preferences
Set only when you ask for something, and they only remember that choice.
| Name | What it does | How long |
|---|---|---|
| dd_theme, dd_dark (local storage) | Light or dark mode, when you use the toggle | Until you clear your browser storage |
| dd_session_key (local storage) | Remembers your "I want this" taps if you aren’t signed in. Created the first time you tap | Until you clear your browser storage |
| dd_gps_perm, dd_gps_asked (local storage) | Whether you allowed or refused your location on Near me, so we don’t keep asking | Until you clear your browser storage |
| dd_gps_pos (session storage) | Your last position on Near me, for the current tab only | Until you close the tab |
| dd_pwa_dismissed, dd_pwa_installed (local storage), dd_install_trigger (session storage) | Stops the "install the app" prompt coming back after you dismiss it | Until you clear your browser storage |
| dd_favs (local storage) | Shops you hearted on the Near me map on this device | Until you clear your browser storage |
Analytics
Only if you choose "Accept all". Until then Google Tag Manager and Google Analytics don’t load at all, and nothing is sent to Google.
| Name | What it does | How long |
|---|---|---|
| _ga, _ga_* (cookies) | Google Analytics 4, through Google Tag Manager: which pages are visited and how, with IP anonymisation. Not used for advertising | 14 months. Removed if you later choose "Reject all" |
Other services on some pages
Some pages load content from other services, which may set their own cookies under their own policies:
- Maps (Near me, shop pages): map images from MapTiler. No cookies, but MapTiler receives your IP address and the map area.
- Case files with a video: the YouTube, Instagram or TikTok player, when the video loads.
- The donate page: PayPal’s donate button.
- Featured placement checkout in the business portal: PayPal.
Changing your mind
Use Cookie settings at the bottom of any page, or the switch above. You can also clear cookies and site data in your browser: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge. Clearing strictly necessary storage signs you out.
Contact
Questions about cookies: [email protected].