Version 2026-08-05.1 · Last updated: 5 August 2026
Cookie Policy
This page describes cookies, local storage, session storage, anti-bot technologies and embedded content used by the Pianoconcerto Forum. The forum is designed to work with necessary technologies only: optional categories start disabled.
For general personal-data processing, read the Privacy Notice. The Terms of Use govern participation in the community.
1. Cookies and similar technologies
Cookies are small files or values stored by the browser and read on later requests. We also use equivalent technologies, such as local storage and session storage, to remember settings or keep a feature working during navigation.
A first-party cookie is set by the forum domain. A third-party cookie is set by an external service loaded into a page; its provider controls its precise duration and processing.
2. Available categories
| Category | Purpose | Initial state | Consent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Necessary | Session, sign-in, CSRF protection, security, anti-bot protection on protected pages and storage of your privacy choice. | Always active | Not required because these technologies are necessary for a requested feature or secure operation. |
| Preferences | Language, theme, reading mode and other non-essential display settings. | Disabled | Required. The forum remains usable without it. |
| Measurement | Aggregated statistics used to understand and improve pages. | Disabled | Required. No third-party analytics service is currently active. |
| External content and marketing | Video/audio players, embedded media and any future promotional tools. | Disabled | Requires explicit consent. No behavioural advertising tools are active. |
3. First-party cookies and storage
| Name or key | Type | Duration | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
pc_consent_v1 | First-party cookie | Up to 180 days | Stores category choices, policy version and choice timestamp. It contains no password or profile data. |
forum-pianoconcerto-session | Protected first-party cookie | Session and application configuration | Maintains the session, authentication, CSRF protection and private pages. |
| CSRF/XSRF cookie, when present | Technical first-party cookie | Session or technical duration | Protects forms and requests from forgery. It is not used for navigation tracking. |
pc_member | Technical first-party cookie | Up to 30 days | Indicates to the connected site that the browser belongs to an active forum member. It does not authenticate the user or contain the public name. |
pianoconcerto-theme | Optional local storage | Until browser/user deletion | Remembers the selected theme after Preferences consent. |
pianoconcerto-reading-mode | Optional local storage | Until browser/user deletion | Remembers reading mode after Preferences consent. |
| Temporary page storage | Session storage | Until the tab or browser session ends | Stores non-sensitive temporary state, such as an open panel or a dismissed notice. |
Technical names may change if the framework or configuration changes. The purpose remains as described and necessary technologies are not used to create advertising profiles.
4. Necessary technologies
Necessary technologies allow sign-in, sessions, forms, security, consent storage and the pages you request. Blocking all cookies may prevent sign-in, registration, publishing and other required functions.
The pc_member indicator is shared between the site and forum to recognise member presence without transferring a username or an authenticated session. Its presence cannot grant access to an account.
5. Preferences
Preferences consent allows the forum to remember non-essential settings such as language, theme and reading mode. The authenticated account language is also stored with the account so the next sign-in can use it consistently; that database setting is not an advertising cookie.
Without this consent, the forum remains usable but may return to default display settings. You can withdraw consent through “Privacy preferences” in the footer.
6. Measurement
The Measurement category is reserved for aggregated statistics, but no third-party analytics service is currently active in the forum. We do not load Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, Meta Pixel or equivalent tools without an explicit configuration, documentation and consent change.
7. External content and players
Videos, audio and media may be embedded from YouTube, Vimeo, SoundCloud, Spotify, Dailymotion, Bandcamp or another authorised provider. Before consent to External content and marketing, the player is not loaded and a placeholder is shown. After consent, the browser connects directly to the provider, which may set cookies and process IP address, browser data and playback information.
Withdrawal affects future loads and cannot erase data already processed by the provider. To exercise rights with that provider, use its own channels as well.
8. Google reCAPTCHA
Sign-in, registration, password recovery, the contact form and site administration use Google reCAPTCHA v3 on the pages that need protection. It may use cookies and technical signals to calculate a reliability score and protect against bots.
It is treated as necessary for the security of those protected pages and may prevent a form from being submitted if blocked. It is provided by Google Ireland Ltd.; Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. It is not loaded indiscriminately on every forum page.
9. Consent panel
On the first visit, the panel lets you accept all categories, reject optional categories or choose granularly. Optional categories are initially off and the forum remains usable with necessary technologies only.
Your choice is remembered for 180 days. It is requested again after expiry, browser/device changes, deletion of the consent cookie or a material policy change. You can reopen the panel from “Privacy preferences” in the footer.
If the browser sends a Global Privacy Control opt-out signal, Measurement and marketing categories remain disabled.
10. Changing or deleting choices
Use “Privacy preferences” in the footer to change your choices. You can also delete cookies and site data in your browser. Deleting the consent cookie shows the panel again; deleting the session cookie may sign you out; deleting local storage resets theme and reading mode.
Browser settings can block all cookies or only third-party cookies. Blocking third-party cookies reduces external media loading; blocking all cookies can prevent required forum functions.
11. Updates
This policy may change when cookies, providers, features or legal requirements change. The version and update date appear at the top. Where required, consent will be requested again before the affected category is activated.