Cookie Policy
Last updated: 10th October 2025
This page explains how Google Analytics cookies are used on the DAFNI website operated by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) at dafni.ac.uk (“we”, “us”, “our”). This policy applies only to this website.
Cookies are small files placed on your device to help us make our services easier, more useful and reliable. Cookies cannot be used to identify you personally.
If you have questions about cookies on this site, contact: digital.services@stfc.ac.uk.
Managing your cookie settings
When you first visit, you can accept or reject analytics cookies. You can change your choice at any time via the “Cookie settings” link (usually in the footer) or in your browser settings. Blocking analytics cookies will not affect basic site operation.
You can also opt out of Google Analytics measurement via Google’s browser add-on.
Cookies used on this website
We use Google Analytics to understand how people use the site so we can improve it (for example, which pages are visited and any errors encountered). Google Analytics uses pseudonymous identifiers (such as cookie IDs) and does not directly identify you by name or email. We also use strictly necessary cookies to provide core website functionality, keep the site secure, and remember your cookie preferences.
| Cookie | Expires |
|---|---|
| CookieControl Stores your cookie preferences so the site can remember your consent choices. |
Varies (set by your consent choice) |
| wordpress_test_cookie Used by WordPress to check whether your browser supports cookies. |
Session |
| wp-settings-* Used by WordPress to store user interface preferences (only set for logged-in users). |
1 year (typical) |
| wp-settings-time-* Used by WordPress to store the time a user interface preference was set (only set for logged-in users). |
1 year (typical) |
| wordpress_logged_in_* Used by WordPress to keep users logged in (only set after login). |
Session (or until logout) |
| wordpress_sec_* Used by WordPress to provide login security and protect authenticated sessions (only set after login). |
Session (or until logout) |
| wpEmojiSettingsSupports Used to remember emoji support/capabilities (include only if this appears as a cookie in your browser storage). |
Session (if used) |
| _ga Google Analytics: distinguishes users by assigning a random identifier. |
400 days |
| _ga_* Google Analytics (GA4): stores session and usage information for a specific GA property. |
400 days |
| _gid Google Analytics: distinguishes users for a short period (traffic/session management). |
~24 hours |
| _gat / _gat_* Google Analytics: used to throttle request rate (traffic management). |
~1 minute |
| _GRECAPTCHA Google reCAPTCHA: helps protect forms from spam and abuse. |
Varies (typically up to ~6 months) |
You may also see short-lived Google Analytics cookies such as _gid (≈1 day) and _gat_* (≈1 minute) depending on Google’s configuration for traffic management.
Third-party services
If we embed or link to third-party content (for example, videos), those services may set their own cookies. Please check the provider’s privacy/cookie information.
Updates to this policy
We may update this policy to reflect changes in technology, law, or our services. The “Last updated” date shows when it was most recently revised.
For questions about this policy or cookies on dafni.ac.uk, email digital.services@stfc.ac.uk.