Last update: 09/10/2026
1. Cookies
1.1. The scify.org website (the “Website”) uses cookies in order to function properly, to improve the Visitor’s/User’s browsing experience, to provide the full capabilities of the Website, to ensure that content is displayed correctly, and for analytical and statistical purposes.
1.2. Cookies are small text files that are stored on the Visitor’s/User’s device when they visit the Website, and are used as a means of recognising their device.
1.3. With the exception of strictly necessary cookies, all other cookies are placed only if the User gives their consent via the cookie preferences panel that appears on their first visit to the Website.
1.4. If the Visitor/User does not accept non-essential cookies, only those cookies that are technically necessary for the proper operation of the Website will be placed.
1.5. The Visitor/User may manage or change their preferences at any time via the “Cookie Settings” link in the footer of every page.
1.6. The categories of cookies used by the Website, and the individual cookies within each category, are set out in detail below.
2. Strictly necessary
Strictly necessary cookies are essential for the proper operation of the Website. They enable the Visitor/User to browse the Website and use its basic features, such as accessing secure areas and remembering their consent preferences. They do not identify the Visitor/User personally, and without them the Website cannot function properly. These cookies do not require consent.
| Cookie | Purpose | Expiry | Provider |
|---|---|---|---|
| wordpress_, wordpress_sec_, wordpress_logged_in_, wordpressuser_, wordpresspass_ | Authentication/login security (for logged-in administrators only) | 14 days or Session | SciFY (WordPress core) |
| wp_lang, wp-settings-{user-id}, wp-settings-time-{user-id} | Preferred language/admin dashboard settings (administrators only) | Session to 1 year | SciFY (WordPress core) |
| wp-postpass_{hash} | Stores the password for protected content | 10 days | SciFY (WordPress core) |
| wpEmojiSettingsSupports | Checks whether the browser displays emoji correctly | Session | SciFY (WordPress core) |
| wp-wpml_current_language | Remembers the Visitor’s/User’s selected language | Session | SciFY (WPML) |
| wordpress_test_cookie | Checks whether the browser accepts cookies | Session | SciFY (WordPress core) |
| wp_consent_necessary, wp_consent_functional, wp_consent_statistics, wp_consent_advertising | Store cookie consent preferences for each category | 1 year | SciFY |
| cf_clearance | Verifies that traffic does not come from bots, for the security of the Website | 1 year | Cloudflare |
| _grecaptcha, rc::a, rc::c, __Secure-ENID, SEARCH_SAMESITE | Protection against spam and malicious traffic (Google reCAPTCHA) | Session to 13 months | Google reCAPTCHA |
3. Functional
Functional cookies enable additional features, such as viewing embedded YouTube videos. They are placed only with the Visitor’s/User’s consent — in the case of embedded YouTube videos, specifically only after the Visitor/User has explicitly chosen to watch them.
| Cookie | Purpose | Expiry | Provider |
|---|---|---|---|
| VISITOR_PRIVACY_METADATA | Stores the cookie consent status for embedded videos | 6 months | YouTube |
| __Secure-YEC, VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE, yt-remote-connected-devices, yt-remote-device-id, ytidb::LAST_RESULT_ENTRY_KEY, yt-remote-session-name, yt-remote-fast-check-period, yt-remote-session-app, yt-remote-cast-available, yt-remote-cast-installed | Video player preferences for embedded videos | Session to “Never expires” | YouTube |
4. Statistics/analytics
Statistics/analytics cookies help us understand how visitors interact with the Website (e.g. number of visitors, most popular pages), so that we can improve the browsing experience. They are placed only with the Visitor’s/User’s consent.
| Cookie | Purpose | Expiry | Provider |
|---|---|---|---|
| _ga, _ga_6QY5188GWD | Measuring traffic to the Website | 13 months | Google Analytics |
| YSC | Recording views of embedded videos | Session | YouTube |
5. Advertising
Advertising cookies are placed by third-party providers (e.g. YouTube, Google) to measure and personalise advertisements, and to analyse the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns. They are placed only with the Visitor’s/User’s consent.
| Cookie | Purpose | Expiry | Provider |
|---|---|---|---|
| _gcl_au | Attributes sign-ups to the advertisements they came from | 3 month | Google Ads |
| _gcl_aw | Stores the ad click ID (gclid) | 3 month | Google Ads |
| __Secure-YNID | User security and fraud prevention when signing in to Google services | 6 months | |
| __Secure-ROLLOUT_TOKEN | Managing the gradual rollout of features | 6 months | YouTube |
| yt.innertube::nextId, yt.innertube::requests | Storing video viewing data | Never expires | YouTube |
6. Third-party services
The Website uses the following third-party services, which may set their own cookies as listed in the tables above. For more information, please see their privacy policies:
- Google (Google Analytics, Google reCAPTCHA, YouTube, Google Ads): policies.google.com/privacy
- Cloudflare (security/CDN): cloudflare.com/privacypolicy
- Zoho (newsletter sign-up): zoho.com/privacy.html
- Algolia (website search): algolia.com/policies/privacy
7. How can you manage cookies?
You can change your preferences at any time by clicking the “Cookie Settings” link at the bottom of every page of the Website. You can also delete or block cookies through your browser settings — please note that this may affect the functionality of the Website.
8. Contact
If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy, please contact us at info@scify.org.
9. Related policies
For more information about how your personal data is processed, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.