Effective Date: 2026-09-11
Last Updated: 2026-09-11
1. What Are Cookies and Similar Technologies
Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. Similar technologies include localStorage (browser-side persistent storage), sessionStorage, and pixel tags. They help websites remember your preferences and analyze usage.
2. How We Use These Technologies
The Forza Horizon Car Wiki uses limited browser storage for site features. Google Analytics is loaded only after you consent in the cookie banner. Advertising cookies are not currently active because ads are not enabled on the site.
3. Categories of Cookies We Use (or May Use)
3.1 Strictly Necessary Hosting Cookies
The static site itself does not intentionally set first-party session cookies. Hosting, browser, or security providers may process technical request data to deliver the page and protect the service.
| Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hosting/security logs | Vercel or infrastructure providers | Delivery, debugging, abuse prevention | Provider-controlled |
3.2 Functional Local Storage (Browser-Side, Not Cookies)
These items are stored in your browser's localStorage and are never sent to our servers.
| Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
fh_garage | Stores your bookmarked Forza Horizon car list (My Garage feature) | Until you clear it |
fh_consent | Records your cookie consent choices | 12 months |
3.3 Performance & Analytics Cookies
Google Analytics 4 is loaded only after you choose "Allow analytics" in the banner. If you reject analytics, or if your browser sends Do Not Track or Global Privacy Control, the analytics script does not load.
| Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
_ga | Google Analytics 4 | Distinguish unique users (aggregate stats) | 2 years |
_gid | Google Analytics 4 | Distinguish unique users (24h) | 24 hours |
_gat | Google Analytics 4 | Throttle request rate | 1 minute |
3.4 Marketing & Advertising Cookies
Advertising is currently not active on the site. If Google AdSense is enabled after approval, Google may use cookies or similar technologies to serve, measure, and personalize ads according to user settings and applicable law.
| Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
__gads | Google AdSense | Ad serving and frequency control | 13 months |
__gpi | Google AdSense | Ad personalization | 13 months |
IDE | Google DoubleClick | Ad measurement | 13 months |
4. Third-Party Cookies
The Site may load third-party services that set their own cookies:
- Google Fonts — font delivery (no cookies, but logs requests)
- Google Analytics (with consent) — see Google's cookie list
- Google AdSense (if enabled after approval) — see Google Ads cookie info
5. Your Choices and Controls
5.1 Consent Banner
A consent banner appears on your first visit. It lets you allow analytics or continue with necessary local functionality only. Your selection is stored in fh_consent.
5.2 Browser Controls
You can clear or block cookies anytime via your browser settings:
- Chrome / Edge: Settings → Privacy and security → Site settings → Cookies
- Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
- Safari (macOS): Settings → Privacy → Manage Website Data
- Safari (iOS): Settings → Safari → Advanced → Website Data
Note: clearing your browser data will erase your fh_garage bookmarked car list.
5.3 Opt-Out Tools
- Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
- Your Online Choices (EU)
- Digital Advertising Alliance Opt-out (US)
6. Do Not Track (DNT) Signals
We respect browser-issued Do Not Track signals. When DNT is enabled, no analytics or advertising scripts will load, regardless of your consent state.
7. Global Privacy Control (GPC)
We honor Global Privacy Control signals as a valid opt-out under CCPA / CPRA. When GPC is detected, we treat it as your request to opt out of any sale or sharing of personal information.
8. Withdrawing Consent
You may withdraw consent for non-essential cookies at any time by:
- Clearing the
fh_consententry in your browser's localStorage - Disabling cookies entirely in your browser
9. Children's Cookies
Consistent with our Privacy Policy, we do not knowingly target users under 13 (or 16 in some jurisdictions). No cookies are designed to profile minors.
10. Changes to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Policy as we add or remove technologies. Material changes will be posted on this page with an updated Effective Date. If we add new categories of cookies (such as advertising), we will refresh consent before they take effect.
11. Contact
For cookie-related questions, see Contact. A working public mailbox should be added before AdSense resubmission.