Cookies

Last updated: 13^th April 2026

This page explains how Project Open Gov uses cookies and similar technologies on this website.

Cookies are small text files placed on a device when a website is used. Similar technologies can also store or access information on a device for comparable purposes.

At this stage, the site is not intended to use analytics or advertising cookies on the public site. If that changes, this page will be updated accordingly. Site Kit by Google can connect different Google services, but Search Console is the required Site Kit service, PageSpeed Insights adds no code to the site, and Google Analytics only adds a GA4 script if that service is connected.

Security and anti-spam technologies

This site uses Cloudflare services to help protect it from spam, bots and abusive traffic. This may involve security-related cookies or similar technologies.

Where Cloudflare challenge or bot protection features are active, Cloudflare may set cookies such as cf_clearance or __cf_bm to verify that a visitor is a legitimate user and to support security functions. Cloudflare states that cf_clearance shows that a visitor has passed a challenge, and that __cf_bm is used for bot protection and is necessary for those bot solutions to function properly.

Essential cookies

Where cookies are used for security or to support core functions requested by the user, they are treated as essential.

Under ICO guidance, cookies that are strictly necessary to provide a service requested by the user may fall within an exemption from the consent requirement, although users should still be given clear information about them.

WordPress-related cookies

Project Open Gov is built on WordPress. Standard WordPress cookies are commonly associated with logged-in users, site administrators, or site features such as commenting.

Project Open Gov does not currently intend to offer public commenting, and ordinary visitors are not expected to receive standard WordPress commenter cookies unless such a feature is introduced in future. WordPress’ own documentation explains that commenter cookies are set when visitors leave comments.

Analytics and advertising

Project Open Gov is not currently using Google Analytics or advertising cookies on the public site.

Site Kit by Google is intended to be used only for Search Console and PageSpeed Insights at this stage. If Google Analytics, Tag Manager, advertising tools, or other non-essential tracking services are enabled in future, this page will be updated accordingly, and any required consent mechanism will be reviewed at that stage.

Third-party services

Some third-party services used to operate, secure or maintain the website may place cookies or use similar technologies where this is necessary for their functions.

These services may include security, hosting, performance or webmaster tools, and payment services used on the Support page.

Any material change to the site’s use of such technologies should be reflected on this page.

Support page and PayPal

The Support page currently uses embedded PayPal payment content so that visitors can choose to support Project Open Gov through PayPal.

That embedded content may involve PayPal scripts, tags, cookies or similar technologies being loaded on the Support page, and PayPal may process device, browser, interaction or payment-related information in accordance with its own policies.

Project Open Gov does not currently use the Support page for analytics or advertising purposes. The purpose of this embedded content is to enable optional support payments.

Managing cookies

Most web browsers allow users to view, block or delete cookies through their browser settings.

Please note that blocking some security-related cookies or similar technologies may affect how parts of the website function.

Changes to this page

This Cookies page may be updated from time to time to reflect changes to the website and the services it uses.

The latest version will always be published on this page with the updated date shown at the top.