Cookie Notice
Every cookie we set, what it does, and how to opt out of the analytics ones.
1. Overview
HypeCity uses cookies and similar local-storage entries to keep your Watchlist, subscription, and product preferences working across page loads. We do not currently display a consent banner — the strictly-necessary cookies below are set on implied consent (without them, the Service does not function), and you can opt out of the analytics ones via the link at the bottom of this page.
[TODO: founder review] If you decide to target EU traffic in production, ePrivacy + GDPR may require a banner with prior consent for the analytics category. Counsel will tell you whether to bolt on a banner pre-launch.
2. Strictly necessary
Without these, the Service can't remember who you are between page loads.
| Name | Set by | Purpose | Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|
hc_anon | HypeCity | Random UUID that links your browser to your Watchlist + subscription. | 2 years |
hc_anon_read | HypeCity | Small readability flag so client code can confirm the cookie was set. | 2 years |
hc_anon_session | HypeCity | In-session shadow used during the initial cookie handshake. | Session |
3. Analytics
Set during normal use of the Service so we can see which features people use and which ones are getting in the way. None of these are used for advertising.
| Name | Set by | Purpose | Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|
ph_* | PostHog | Distinct ID + session ID for product analytics. Linked to your hc_anon id, never to PII. | up to 1 year |
_plausible_* / plausible_ignore | Plausible (where used) | Privacy-friendly page-view counting. No personal data. | Session |
To opt out of PostHog analytics, follow PostHog's opt-out instructions. The opt-out is sticky per browser.
4. Payment
Only set when you visit the Stripe-hosted Checkout (i.e., when you click "Upgrade to Investor" or "Upgrade to Premium" on /pricing). These cookies are required for Stripe to handle your payment safely.
| Name | Set by | Purpose | Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|
__stripe_mid | Stripe | Fraud-prevention machine identifier. | 1 year |
__stripe_sid | Stripe | Fraud-prevention session identifier. | 30 minutes |
Stripe's own cookie settings page covers their full list and your opt-out options.
5. How to manage cookies
- Browser settings. Every major browser lets you block or clear cookies. Blocking strictly-necessary cookies will break HypeCity — your Watchlist won't persist and you won't be able to keep a subscription session.
- Analytics opt-out. Use the PostHog opt-out link above; it's respected across the Service.
- Payment opt-out. If you don't want Stripe to set its cookies, don't visit Stripe Checkout. We don't load Stripe scripts on pages other than /pricing during the upgrade flow.
6. Changes
If we add or remove cookies, this page will be updated and the "Last updated" date refreshed.