1 What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that websites store on your device (computer, phone, or tablet) when you visit them. They are widely used to make websites work properly, remember your preferences, and provide information to site owners.
FinOwl uses cookies and similar technologies (such as localStorage and sessionStorage) to keep you logged in, understand how you use the platform, and respect your preferences.
This policy explains what we use, why, and how to manage or delete them. For more detail on how we handle personal data generally, see our Privacy Policy.
2 Types of Cookies We Use
FinOwl uses three categories of cookies and browser storage:
3 Cookie Inventory
The following table lists the specific cookies and browser storage items FinOwl uses:
Authentication & Session (Strictly Necessary)
| Name | Type | Purpose | Duration | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
token (localStorage) |
localStorage | Stores your JWT authentication token to keep you logged in to the dashboard | 30 days or until logout | Essential |
finowl_cookie_consent |
localStorage | Records your cookie consent preference (accepted / declined) so we don't show the banner repeatedly | 1 year | Essential |
Analytics (Consent Required)
| Name | Type | Purpose | Duration | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
finowl_sid |
sessionStorage | Anonymous session identifier used to group page views in a single visit for analytics purposes. Not linked to your account. | Session (deleted when browser tab closes) | Analytics |
finowl_utm |
sessionStorage | Stores UTM campaign parameters (utm_source, utm_medium, etc.) to understand which marketing channels drive sign-ups. Deleted when the browser tab closes. | Session | Analytics |
polsia_vid |
localStorage | Anonymous visitor identifier used by our first-party analytics system. Not linked to your account or personal data. Used to measure unique visitor counts across sessions. | 1 year | Analytics |
Google Analytics (GA4) cookies (_ga, _ga_*) |
Cookie | Set only if you accept analytics cookies. Used to measure page views, session duration, and user behaviour in aggregate. No personally identifiable information is sent to Google. | Up to 2 years | Analytics |
Functional (Mixed)
| Name | Type | Purpose | Duration | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PWA install state | localStorage | Remembers whether you have been shown the "Add to Home Screen" prompt for the FinOwl PWA, to avoid showing it repeatedly. | Persistent | Essential |
| Dashboard UI state | localStorage / sessionStorage | Remembers your selected tab, filters, and layout preferences within the dashboard so they persist between page loads within a session. | Session / Persistent | Functional |
4 Third-Party Cookies
FinOwl loads resources from the following third parties that may set their own cookies:
Google Fonts
We use Google Fonts to serve our typography (Space Grotesk and DM Sans). Google may set cookies or collect technical data (IP address, browser type) when serving fonts. This is governed by Google's Privacy Policy. We are exploring self-hosting fonts to eliminate this third-party request.
Google Analytics (GA4)
Only loaded with your consent. If you accept analytics cookies, Google Analytics 4 is loaded and may set cookies (_ga, _ga_*). These are used to measure aggregate usage patterns. IP addresses are anonymised before transmission to Google. Governed by Google's Privacy Policy.
Stripe
When you visit our checkout page (hosted by Stripe), Stripe may set cookies for fraud prevention and payment processing. These are governed by Stripe's Privacy Policy. These cookies are only set on Stripe's own hosted checkout pages, not on finowl.co.uk itself.
We do not use cookies from social media platforms, advertising networks, or any other third parties not listed here.
5 Your Consent & How to Manage Cookies
Our cookie banner
When you first visit FinOwl's landing page, you will see a cookie consent banner. You can choose:
- Accept all: We set all cookies described in this policy, including analytics cookies.
- Decline: Only strictly necessary cookies are set. Analytics cookies are not loaded.
Changing your mind
You can update your cookie preferences at any time by clearing the finowl_cookie_consent value from your browser's localStorage. The cookie banner will reappear on your next visit to the landing page. To do this:
- Open your browser's Developer Tools (press F12)
- Go to Application → Local Storage → finowl.co.uk
- Delete the
finowl_cookie_consententry - Refresh the page — the consent banner will reappear
Browser-level cookie controls
You can control and delete cookies directly through your browser settings. Below are links to instructions for common browsers:
Please note: disabling strictly necessary cookies will prevent FinOwl from working correctly. You will not be able to stay logged in if you block all cookies.
Google Analytics opt-out
You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking across all websites by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
6 Legal Basis for Cookies
Our use of cookies complies with the UK's Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) and the UK GDPR, as interpreted by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO):
- Strictly necessary cookies: No consent required under PECR Regulation 6(4). These are essential for the service to function.
- Analytics and functional cookies: Require your consent under PECR Regulation 6(1). We obtain this via our cookie banner before setting these cookies.
Where we rely on consent, you have the right to withdraw it at any time without detriment. See Section 5 above for how to do this.
If you have a complaint about our use of cookies, you can contact the Information Commissioner's Office:
- ICO Website: ico.org.uk
- ICO Helpline: 0303 123 1113
7 Changes to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time as our technology or legal requirements change. Material changes will be communicated via our cookie consent banner and, where appropriate, by email.
The "Last updated" date at the top of this page always reflects the current version.
8 Contact
Questions about cookies or this policy? Contact us:
- Email: finowl@polsia.app
- Subject: "Cookie Policy Enquiry"
We aim to respond within 5 business days.