Cookie usage

Cookie Usage

On this page we explain how this site uses cookies. The specific ways in which we use these technologies are described below. We want to inform you clearly and precisely about the cookies we use, what a cookie is, what it is used for, the types of cookies we use, and how you can configure or disable them.

What are cookies?

Cookies are small text files that your web browser stores on your device at the request of the website you are visiting. They allow the website to remember information about you, such as preferences or login status.

Cookies can be stored temporarily (session cookies) or for a longer period (persistent cookies). Cookies not set by this site are not accessible to us.

Types of cookies we use

According to who manages them

  • First-party cookies: Set directly by this website.
  • Third-party cookies: Set by external services such as social networks or embedded content.

According to duration

  • Session cookies: Deleted when you close your browser.
  • Persistent cookies: Stored on your device until they expire.

According to purpose

  • Technical cookies: Required for website functionality.
  • Analytics cookies: Help us understand how visitors use the site.
  • Preference cookies: Remember user preferences.
  • Advertising cookies: Used to display relevant advertising.

Our use of cookies

  • Maintaining login sessions and user preferences
  • Analyzing website usage
  • Advertising and third-party integrations

Standard cookies we set

  • xf_csrf: Security token
  • xf_session: Session identifier
  • xf_user: Remember-me token

Third-party cookies

Third-party services such as Google Analytics, YouTube, Facebook, and others may set cookies when their content is embedded on our site.

Managing cookies

You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings. Instructions are available for:

  • Google Chrome
  • Mozilla Firefox
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Safari (macOS & iOS)

More information

For more information about cookies, please visit the official ICO cookies page.

Standard cookies we set

Name Purpose
Essential cookies
These cookies are required to enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. You may not reject these.
xf___crossTab This local storage item is used to store information used to communicate across tabs, such as the current cross-site request forgery token.
xf_cacheKey This local storage item is used to store the cache key used for offline storage items.
xf_consent This cookie is used to store a user's cookie consent preferences.
xf_csrf This cookie is used to store a user's cross-site request forgery token, preventing other applications from making malicious requests on the user's behalf.
xf_dbWriteForced This cookie is used to indicate that the request should be completed using the database write server.
xf_editorDisabled This local storage item is used to store whether or not a user has the rich text editor enabled.
fr-copied-html This local storage item is used to store a user's copied rich text when pasting into the text editor.
fr-copied-text This local storage item is used to store a user's copied plain text when pasting into the text editor.
xf_guestUsername This local storage item is used to store a guest user's username.
xf_inline_mod_* These cookies are used to store a user's currently selected inline moderation items.
xf_language_id This cookie is used to store a user's selected language.
xf_lbSidebarDisabled This local storage item is used to store whether or not a user has toggled the lightbox sidebar.
xf_ls This cookie is used to store a user's local storage contents in the event their browser does not support the native local storage mechanism.
xf_multiQuote* These local storage items are used to store a user's multi-quote selections.
xf_notice_dismiss This cookie is used to store a user's dismissed notices.
xf_push_history_user_ids This local storage item is used to store which users on this device have enabled push notifications.
xf_push_notice_dismiss This cookie is used to determine whether or not a user has dismissed the push notification notice.
xf_push_subscription_updated This cookie is used to determine if a user's push subscription preferences have been updated.
xf_session This cookie is used to store a user's session identifier.
xf_style_id This cookie is used to store a user's selected style.
xf_tfa_trust This cookie is used to determine if a user has previously chosen to trust this device without requiring further two-step verification for a period of time.
xf_toggle This cookie and local storage item are used to store a user's preferences for toggling various controls open or closed.
xf_user This cookie is used to store a user's "remember me" token, allowing their credentials to persist across multiple sessions.
xf_visitorCounts This local storage item is used to store counts of a user's unread direct messages and alerts.
Optional cookies
We deliver enhanced functionality for your browsing experience by setting these cookies. If you reject them, enhanced functionality will be unavailable.
xf_emoji_usage This cookie is used to store which emojis a user has recently used when composing a message.
Third-party cookies
Cookies set by third parties may be required to power functionality in conjunction with various service providers for security, analytics, performance or advertising purposes.
Apple Music These cookies are set by Apple Music, and may be used for displaying embedded content.
Bluesky These cookies are set by Bluesky, and may be used for displaying embedded content.
Dailymotion These cookies are set by Dailymotion, and may be used for displaying embedded content.
Facebook These cookies are set by Facebook, and may be used for displaying embedded content.
Flickr These cookies are set by Flickr, and may be used for displaying embedded content.
Giphy These cookies are set by Giphy, and may be used for displaying embedded content.
Imgur These cookies are set by Imgur, and may be used for displaying embedded content.
Instagram These cookies are set by Instagram, and may be used for displaying embedded content.
Meta These cookies are set by Meta, and may be used for displaying embedded content.
Pinterest These cookies are set by Pinterest, and may be used for displaying embedded content.
Reddit These cookies are set by Reddit, and may be used for displaying embedded content.
SoundCloud These cookies are set by SoundCloud, and may be used for displaying embedded content.
Spotify These cookies are set by Spotify, and may be used for displaying embedded content.
TikTok These cookies are set by TikTok, and may be used for displaying embedded content.
Tumblr These cookies are set by Tumblr, and may be used for displaying embedded content.
Twitch These cookies are set by Twitch, and may be used for displaying embedded content.
Vimeo These cookies are set by Vimeo, and may be used for displaying embedded content.
X These cookies are set by X, and may be used for displaying embedded content.
YouTube These cookies are set by YouTube, and may be used for analytics, verifying legitimate traffic, or other embedded content.
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