This Cookies Policy explains how DepositScout Ltd ("we", "us", or "our") uses cookies and similar technologies on depositscout.com. It should be read alongside our Privacy Policy, which explains how we handle personal information more broadly.
1. What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They help the site remember things about your visit — like keeping you logged in or remembering a choice you made. Similar technologies, such as local storage, store small pieces of information in your browser and are covered by this policy too.
2. How we approach cookies
We deliberately keep cookies to a minimum:
- Essential cookies are always on — the site cannot work securely without them (for example, keeping you logged in).
- Optional analytics storage only runs if you click "Accept" on our cookie banner. It covers Google Analytics and session-level first-party provider journeys. If you reject it, neither uses browser storage.
- When you follow a provider link, we may still count that click on our server without cookies; the analytics record does not retain your IP address or a persistent browser identifier.
- Our main analytics tool is cookieless — it runs on our own servers and does not set any cookies or track you across other websites.
3. Essential cookies (always on)
These are necessary for the Website to function and cannot be switched off. They are only set in response to actions you take, such as logging in or connecting a bank account.
| Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| sb-depositscout-auth-token | Keeps you securely logged in to your DepositScout account. Set only when you log in. | While logged in |
| lf_oauth_state | Security check (CSRF protection) while you connect a bank account through open banking. Set only during the connection process. | 10 minutes |
4. Optional analytics (only with your consent)
If you accept cookies on our banner, we enable Google Analytics, which helps us understand how visitors use the Website so we can improve it. We also measure bank and product page views, products shown, detail views, internal product links and clicks through to providers. This first-party data is held by DepositScout and is not linked to your account, email or bank information. Google Analytics sets cookies such as:
| Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| _ga | Distinguishes visitors so Google Analytics can count unique visits. | Up to 2 years |
| _ga_* | Maintains the analytics session state. | Up to 2 years |
Google may process this data on servers outside the UK, including in the United States. You can learn more in Google's Privacy Policy. If you reject cookies, Google Analytics does not load at all.
5. Cookieless analytics
We use a privacy-focused analytics tool (Rybbit) hosted on our own infrastructure. It gives us aggregate statistics — such as page views and visitor counts — without setting any cookies and without building a profile of you or following you to other websites. Because it does not use cookies or similar technologies, it does not require consent under UK cookie rules; the limited technical data it processes is covered by our Privacy Policy.
6. Local storage
We use your browser's local storage — which stays on your device and is not sent to us — to remember choices and drafts:
| Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| cookie-consent-v2 | Remembers whether you accepted or rejected optional cookies, so we don't ask again. | Until cleared |
| provider-analytics-visitor-v1 | A random identifier used only after consent to count repeat visits and provider journeys. It is never linked to your identity. | 30 days |
| provider-analytics-session-v1 | Groups consented product interactions within one browser tab. | Until the tab closes |
| savings-scanner-preferences | Remembers your alert signup preferences so forms are pre-filled for you. | Until cleared |
| planscout:draft | Saves your in-progress savings plan so you don't lose it if you leave the page. | Until cleared |
7. Third-party content
Some pages embed videos from YouTube. When you play an embedded video, YouTube (Google) may set its own cookies according to its own policies. We use privacy-conscious embeds where possible, and no YouTube cookies are set until you interact with a video.
8. Managing your choices
- Our cookie banner: choose "Accept all" or "Reject all" when you first visit. Rejecting (or dismissing the banner) means optional cookies never load.
- Change your mind: clear your browser's site data for depositscout.com and the banner will ask you again on your next visit.
- Browser settings: every major browser lets you block or delete cookies. Blocking essential cookies may stop login and bank connections from working.
9. Changes to this policy
If we add or change the cookies we use, we will update this page and its effective date. If a change means we need your consent, our banner will ask you again.
10. Contact us
Questions about cookies or this policy? Email [email protected].