What cookies do
Cookies are small pieces of information stored by your browser. They allow a website to remember information between visits. Browser local storage can also retain small amounts of data; it is listed separately below.
What FTBLL stores
We use first-party functional storage for reactions, saved items and migration of choices from an earlier version. It does not contain your subscription email address. Google Tag Manager is loaded on public pages to manage measurement tags and may receive technical request data; the container does not add an FTBLL functional cookie.
| Name | Type | Purpose | Lifetime |
|---|---|---|---|
| __Host-ftbll-v | First-party functional cookie | Stores a random browser identifier. Reactions and saved items are associated with it on the server and remain available across website languages. | Up to 365 days; renewed when you return. Your browser may delete it sooner. |
| ftbll_news_state | Legacy first-party cookie | May contain reactions and saved news from an earlier version of the website. It is used to move those choices to the current system. | The earlier version used a lifetime of up to 365 days. The cookie is removed after migration. |
| ftbll_interactions_v1 | Local storage entry | Records that migration of earlier choices has been checked or completed. It is not the current visitor identifier. | No fixed expiry in local storage; remains until cleared by you, the browser or the website. |
What this means for reactions and saved items
The browser identifier links your choices to server-side records. A news item has shared like, dislike and saved-item counters across the website’s language versions. Switching language in the same browser does not create a separate vote.
The main identifier cookie has a lifetime of up to one year. Returning to the website renews that lifetime. This means it can remain available for longer than a year if you keep returning. Browser settings, private browsing and browser restrictions can shorten its lifetime.
Cookie expiry and server-side retention are different. Clearing the cookie may prevent the browser from retrieving your earlier choices; it does not automatically undo recorded reactions or delete the associated server records.
How to manage storage
You can delete or block cookies and clear local storage in your browser’s privacy settings. The browser may provide controls for a single website or for all websites.
Public pages remain readable without accepting this browser identifier. Reactions and saved items may not work or may not remain available if cookies are blocked. Another browser or a private window may be treated as a different visitor.
If you sign in to a protected website area, the underlying website software may also use session and security cookies to maintain that sign-in. Those are separate from the public reaction identifier.
External websites and future changes
Opening an external source takes you to another website, whose cookie rules apply there. FTBLL does not control that website’s storage.
Google Tag Manager is currently used to manage measurement tags. Before enabling advertising, analytics or other storage with a new purpose, we will update this page and provide the choices required for those tools. The current functional cookie does not represent consent to advertising, tracking on other websites or email subscriptions.
For questions about cookies or server-side records, contact support@ftbll.online. See the privacy policy for information about subscription data and other information.