Cookie Policy
TL;DR: We only use essential cookies by default. Advertising cookies (Google AdSense) are only activated with your consent. Your data files are never uploaded or tracked — they stay in your browser.
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They serve various purposes: remembering your preferences, enabling essential functionality, delivering personalized advertising, and measuring site usage. Some cookies are set by the website you visit ("first-party cookies"), while others are set by third-party services like advertisers ("third-party cookies").
2. How We Use Cookies
DataScrub uses cookies for the following purposes:
2.1 Essential Cookies (Always Active)
These cookies are strictly necessary for the website to function. They cannot be disabled.
| Cookie | Purpose | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| data-scrub-cookie-consent | Stores your cookie consent preferences | 1 year | First-party |
The consent cookie records whether you accepted, rejected, or customized your cookie preferences. Without it, we would have to show the consent banner on every page visit.
2.2 Advertising Cookies (Requires Consent)
These cookies are used by Google AdSense to deliver advertisements. They are only activated if you consent.
| Cookie | Purpose | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| __gads | Google AdSense tracking — identifies visitors for ad targeting | 13 months | Third-party |
| __gpi | Google AdSense publisher ID — links ad impressions to the site | 13 months | Third-party |
| IDE | Google DoubleClick — used for ad targeting and retargeting | 13 months | Third-party |
| NID | Google — stores user preferences for personalized ads | 6 months | Third-party |
| _gcl_au | Google Ads conversion linker — tracks ad click conversions | 3 months | Third-party |
The specific cookies set by Google AdSense may vary. For a complete and current list, refer to Google's advertising cookie disclosure.
Important: Even when advertising cookies are enabled, your data files (CSV, Excel, ODS, JSON) are never uploaded to any server. All data processing remains 100% client-side in your browser.
2.3 Analytics Cookies (Currently Inactive)
We have reserved the analytics category for future use. At this time, no analytics cookies are set. If we introduce analytics (such as a privacy-friendly tool like Plausible or Fathom), we will update this policy and seek your consent before activating them.
3. Your Cookie Preferences
When you first visit DataScrub, a consent banner appears at the bottom of the page. You have three options:
- Accept All — enables essential + advertising + analytics cookies.
- Reject Non-Essential — enables only essential cookies. No advertising or analytics cookies will be set.
- Customize — choose which categories to allow individually.
You can change your preferences at any time by clicking the button below:
4. How to Manage Cookies in Your Browser
In addition to our consent tool, you can manage cookies directly in your browser settings:
- Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
- Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
- Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
- Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Manage and delete cookies
Note that blocking all cookies may affect website functionality. Essential cookies are necessary for the site to work properly.
5. Third-Party Opt-Out
For Google AdSense advertising cookies, you can opt out of personalized advertising through:
- Google Ads Settings — manage your ad personalization preferences
- Google Ad Settings — turn off ad personalization
- Network Advertising Initiative (NAI) Opt-Out
- Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA) Opt-Out
- European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance (EDAA)
6. Legal Basis (GDPR / ePrivacy)
Under the ePrivacy Directive and the GDPR, we are required to obtain your consent before setting non-essential cookies. Our consent mechanism complies with these requirements:
- Consent is freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous.
- We do not set advertising cookies before you consent.
- You can withdraw consent at any time.
- Essential cookies are set under the legal basis of legitimate interest (Article 6(1)(f) GDPR).
7. Cookie Duration
Our consent preference cookie lasts for 1 year. After that, the consent banner will reappear and you will be asked to make your choice again. Google AdSense cookies typically last between 3 and 13 months, as shown in the table above.
8. Changes to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy when we change the cookies we use or when regulations require it. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last updated" date. If we add new cookie categories, we will seek your consent again.
9. Contact
If you have questions about our use of cookies, please contact us:
- Email: info@data-scrub.com
- Website: https://data-scrub.com
See also our Privacy Policy and Impressum.
Last updated: March 2025