Cookie Policy
Last Updated: November 15, 2026
This Cookie Policy explains how PollFlux ("we", "us", or "our") utilizes cookies, local storage, and similar web technologies on pollflux.com. We believe in being transparent about how we collect and store data, why we store it, and how you can exercise full control over your browser settings.
1. What Are Cookies and Local Storage?
Cookies are small text data files placed on your computer, mobile device, or browser when you visit a website. They are widely used by web developers to make websites operate reliably, remember visitor preferences across sessions, and provide anonymous operational telemetry. In addition to HTTP cookies, modern web applications may utilize browser Local Storage and Session Storage to store client-side state efficiently without transmitting data back and forth in every single HTTP header.
2. Categories of Cookies We Use
We categorize the cookies utilized across PollFlux into four clear distinct groups:
Essential A. Strictly Necessary & Security Cookies
These cookies are indispensable for the core operation of PollFlux. They include anti-forgery tokens (__RequestVerificationToken) that guard against Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks, and encrypted authentication cookies (.AspNetCore.Identity.Application) that maintain secure user login sessions. Disabling these cookies will prevent user sign-in and form submissions.
Integrity B. Voting Integrity & Anti-Cheating Cookies
When you vote on a live poll, our system sets a dedicated, first-party cookie named PollFlux_Voted_{PollId}. This cookie holds a cryptographic timestamp and selected choice identifier. It ensures fair, transparent polling by stopping accidental double-clicks or deliberate duplicate vote manipulation within the creator's configured cooldown window.
Analytics C. Audience Performance & Analytics Cookies
We utilize Google Analytics 4 (cookies including _ga and _ga_*) to understand aggregate visitor traffic, track page rendering speeds, and measure user interaction trends. These cookies collect anonymous information without associating browsing sessions with personally identifiable individuals.
Advertising D. Advertising & Targeting Cookies (Google AdSense)
To fund our 100% free polling infrastructure, we partner with Google AdSense. Google and its advertising partners set third-party cookies (such as __gads, __gpi, and DoubleClick IDE) to measure ad performance, prevent the same ad from showing repetitively, and deliver relevant advertisements based on your visits to PollFlux and other websites.
3. Specific Cookie Inventory
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Type | Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
PollFlux_Voted_{id} |
PollFlux (First-party) | Upholds poll integrity; prevents duplicate voting | Security / Functional | Configurable (1h - 30 days) |
__RequestVerificationToken |
PollFlux (First-party) | Prevents Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) | Strictly Necessary | Session |
pollflux_cookie_consent |
PollFlux (First-party) | Remembers user consent preference | Preferences | 1 Year |
tz_offset |
PollFlux (First-party) | Synchronizes voting cooldown thresholds with local clock | Functional | 1 Year |
_ga, _ga_* |
Google Analytics (Third-party) | Measures site usage, traffic sources, page dwell time | Analytics | Up to 2 Years |
__gads, __gpi |
Google AdSense (Third-party) | Frequency capping and non-intrusive ad delivery | Advertising | Up to 13 Months |
IDE |
DoubleClick / Google (Third-party) | Measures ad effectiveness and personalization | Advertising | 1 Year |
4. How You Can Manage or Block Cookies
You have the right to decide whether to accept or reject cookies. You can exercise your preferences in several ways:
- Browser Controls: Most popular web browsers allow you to modify cookie settings. You can set your browser to notify you before receiving a cookie, block third-party cookies, or purge existing cookies. Refer to the official support documentation for your browser:
- Google Ad Personalization Controls: Visit Google Ads Settings to review and control the interest categories used to serve ads to you across Google platforms and AdSense partner sites.
- Industry Opt-Out Portals: You can opt out of interest-based ads from participating companies via the Digital Advertising Alliance (www.aboutads.info/choices), Network Advertising Initiative (optout.networkadvertising.org), or European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance (www.youronlinechoices.eu).
5. Contact Our Privacy & Compliance Team
If you have questions about our use of cookies or tracking technologies, please contact our team: