Cookie & Storage Policy
Learn how SHRTX utilizes cookies, local browser storage, regional consent management, and Global Privacy Control (GPC) across the platform.
1. Overview of Cookies and Storage Technologies
SHRTX uses web cookies and browser storage mechanisms (specifically localStorage and sessionStorage) to operate the web utility platform, preserve interface preferences, protect system security, and gather aggregate usage insights.
For our supported local-first utilities, your file contents, text inputs, images, and processed outputs are handled directly within your local device memory and are never written to cookies, stored on remote servers, or transmitted to analytics services.
2. Categories of Storage Technologies Used
A. Strictly Necessary & Functional Technologies (Always Active)
These items are required for the website to function correctly and cannot be disabled. They include storing your dark/light visual theme choice, preserving your consent selections, and safeguarding route integrity. They do not track your browsing activity across other websites.
B. Performance & Analytics Technologies (Region-Aware / Consent-Controlled)
We utilize Google Analytics 4 (GA4) and first-party aggregate counters to understand general website traffic trends, popular tool domains, and technical performance metrics.
- IP addresses are automatically masked and anonymized at ingestion.
- GA4 tags strictly honor Google Consent Mode v2 signals (
analytics_storage). In jurisdictions requiring prior opt-in (EEA, UK, Switzerland) and under our conservative global fallback, analytics storage defaults strictly todenieduntil explicit affirmative consent. In India (under the DPDP Act 2023) and the United States, aggregate performance analytics are active on initial page load to evaluate site performance and service health, and can be disabled at any time via the Cookie Preferences controls. - No tool input data, document payloads, file names, or personal identifiers are sent to analytics.
C. Advertising & Monetization Technologies (Consent-Gated)
To fund the free operation of SHRTX, we display non-intrusive advertisements served through Google AdSense. Google and its advertising partners may use cookies (such as __gads) to serve contextually relevant advertisements and prevent excessive ad repetition.
3. Complete Storage and Cookie Inventory
| Key / Cookie | Type | Category | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| shrtx_cookie_consent | localStorage | Essential | Stores versioned consent preferences across sessions | 12 months |
| shrtx-theme | localStorage | Essential | Stores dark / light mode interface preference | Persistent |
| sessionId | sessionStorage | Essential | Prevents duplicate tool usage count increments | Session |
| _ga, _ga_* | HTTP Cookie | Analytics | Google Analytics 4 visitor aggregation (strict prior opt-in in EEA/UK/CH and Global Fallback; active on initial load with opt-out controls in India and US) | Up to 2 years |
| __gads, __gpi | HTTP Cookie | Advertising | Google AdSense ad frequency and fraud prevention | 13 months |
4. Regional Consent Architecture & Frameworks
SHRTX applies a region-aware consent model rather than a crude global assumption. Depending on your geographic jurisdiction:
- European Economic Area (EEA), UK & Switzerland: Under EU GDPR Art. 6(1)(a) and the ePrivacy Directive, all optional analytics and advertising storage default strictly to
denied. Affirmative consent is required prior to activation. Our consent architecture coordinates with Google's IAB TCF v2.2 certified consent framework and Consent Mode v2 to ensure compliance with European publisher standards. - United States: Visitors have the right to opt out of targeted advertising and the sale/sharing of personal data under state privacy laws (CCPA/CPRA, CPA, VCDPA, etc.). We honor Global Privacy Control (GPC) signals automatically; when GPC is detected, advertising personalization is immediately denied.
- India: Under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 (DPDP Act), processing requires clear notice and accessible choice. Advertising personalization and advertising storage default strictly to
denieduntil affirmative consent is given. Privacy-preserving aggregate analytics (with IP masking and zero payload transmission) default to active on initial load to measure platform reliability and service health; visitors hold the immediate right to revoke or disable analytics storage at any time via our Cookie Preferences manager. - Global Fallback: Where region cannot be determined or resolved, our conservative privacy fallback applies: both advertising personalization and analytics storage default strictly to
denied(zero assumed consent) until the visitor explicitly grants permission via our consent interface.
5. Global Privacy Control (GPC) Support
SHRTX actively listens for the Global Privacy Control (GPC) signal broadcast by modern browsers. If your browser transmits a GPC opt-out signal (navigator.globalPrivacyControl === true), our platform automatically treats this as a binding request to disable advertising personalization and ad storage.
6. How to Change or Withdraw Your Preferences
You can update or withdraw your choices at any time by clicking the "Manage Cookie Preferences" button above or by clicking "Cookie Preferences" in the footer of any page on SHRTX.
Additionally, you can configure your browser to block or alert you about cookies. Note that disabling essential local storage will prevent the website from remembering your visual theme choice.
7. Inquiries Regarding Consent & Privacy
For any questions regarding our consent architecture or cookie disclosures, please reach out to our privacy desk at or contact@shrtx.in.