Cookie Policy & Privacy Information
This blog is a static website hosted on GitHub Pages. You can read its articles without accepting optional analytics, sharing buttons or comments. Google AdSense remains enabled regardless of that choice and may use cookies.
To learn more about how this blog is built, see the Hello World đź‘‹ blog post which details all the technology and hosting infrastructure used, including GitHub Pages.
On a first visit, Accept optional enables Google Analytics, Microsoft Clarity, ShareThis and Disqus. Reject optional leaves those four services off; it does not disable Google AdSense. Reading, scrolling, closing settings or following the Cookie policy link does not accept optional services.
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and provide information to website owners. Learn more about cookies on Wikipedia.
Cookies Used
Remembering Your Preferences
cookieconsent_statusis a first-party preference cookie containingallowordeny. The site attempts to remember your explicit choice for one year, across pages on this site. It is not an analytics identifier.icarus:appearanceis browser local storage used by the light/dark appearance control. It remains until you change it or clear site data; it is separate from the optional services.
Previously saved allow and deny choices are retained. Other or missing values do not enable optional services. Clearing the preference cookie means the site will ask again.
Analytics Cookies
These services load only after a saved acceptance:
- Google Analytics
- Purpose: Analyze site traffic, page views, and user behavior
- May collect page, interaction, browser and device information
- Google Analytics Privacy Policy
- Microsoft Clarity
- Purpose: Understand how visitors use the site through usage analysis and session insights
- May collect page interactions and browser/device information
- Microsoft Clarity Privacy Information
Advertising Cookies
Google AdSense loads and the configured ad unit initializes before a choice and after either acceptance or rejection. This site’s Cookie settings control does not disable AdSense or its advertising cookies:
- Google AdSense
- Purpose: Display advertisements
- May use cookies and process device and browsing information
- Google Ads Privacy Policy
This is not a cookie-free or non-personalized advertising mode. Google controls ad delivery, and ads may be unavailable because of account eligibility, consent requirements, browser restrictions or ad blockers. In particular, Google requires a certified consent management platform for personalized ads in the EEA, UK and Switzerland; this site’s custom settings dialog is not a replacement for that platform or an assertion of compliance.
Social Sharing Cookies
ShareThis sharing buttons load only after a saved acceptance:
- ShareThis
- Purpose: Enable content sharing on social media platforms
- May process page, sharing and device information
- ShareThis Privacy Policy
Comment System Cookies
Disqus comments load only after a saved acceptance:
- Disqus
- Purpose: Provide commenting functionality
- May process account information, submitted comments and device/network information
- Disqus Privacy Policy
Managing Cookies
The cookie-shaped Cookie settings icon stays available beside Search in the top navigation after either choice, including when the mobile menu is collapsed. Hover over the icon to see its label, or reach the named button with your keyboard or screen reader. The sharing and comments placeholders also link to settings. Opening settings shows your current choice without changing it; the policy link is ordinary navigation, not a consent button.
You can change a rejection to acceptance without reloading: the four optional services on the current page will then load, without restarting AdSense. If optional services have already started, Reject and reload first saves the rejection and then reloads the current page. That new document does not start those four services, but AdSense initializes again. Closing settings or pressing Escape leaves your choice unchanged.
Rejecting does not remove third-party cookies already in your browser, undo earlier requests, or delete data already held by providers. Browser controls and the providers’ privacy tools are needed for those actions.
If browser cookie storage is unavailable or a new choice cannot be saved and read back, settings shows a warning rather than claiming success. The four optional services are not enabled without a saved acceptance; AdSense remains independent of that storage check. If a previously accepted choice cannot be changed, optional services already running may continue; use your browser to block or clear this site’s cookies and reload. You can still read the blog and open or close settings.
Browser Settings
You can control and/or delete cookies as you wish. You can delete all cookies that are already on your computer and you can set most browsers to prevent them from being placed.
- Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
- Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
- Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Cookies and website data
- Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions
Provider Controls
- Google Analytics: Install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
- Google Ads: Visit Google Ads Settings
These are additional provider controls, not replacements for the site’s Cookie settings. The site does not promise that a browser’s Do Not Track setting changes a provider’s behavior.
Other External Resources
This preference controls Google Analytics, Microsoft Clarity, ShareThis and Disqus, not AdSense. It does not prevent every external connection. Page assets such as fonts and libraries can come from content delivery networks; some articles include GitHub Gists or external diagrams as part of their content. GitHub Pages and those services receive the requests needed to deliver their resources.
Following an external link, submitting the Follow.it email subscription form or visiting a donation service is a separate action governed by that destination’s policies.
Third-Party Links
This website may contain links to third-party websites. No responsibility is taken for the privacy practices or content of those websites. Their privacy policies should be reviewed separately.
Data Retention
The preference cookie is requested for one year. Optional providers have their own storage, retention and deletion practices; see their linked policies and account controls. This page does not specify unverified provider-side retention settings.
Contact Information
Questions about this cookie policy can be directed to:
- GitHub: github.com/Ricky-G
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rickygummadi
Changes to This Policy
This cookie policy may be updated from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date.
Last Updated: November 6, 2026
Additional Resources
Cookie Policy & Privacy Information
