Cookie Policy
NewsWave Effective Date: 21 March 2026 Last Updated: 21 March 2026 Version: 1.0
ePrivacy Directive 2002/58/EC Compliant | GDPR Compliant | IAB TCF v2.2 Compatible
1. Introduction
This Cookie Policy explains how NewsWave — a sole trader business (Swedish enskild firma) operated by Sadashiv Gour ("NewsWave", "we", "us", "our") — uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on the NewsWave web application and mobile application (collectively, the "Service").
This Policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy, which provides additional detail on how we process your personal data.
In accordance with the ePrivacy Directive (2002/58/EC) as implemented in Swedish law (Lagen om elektronisk kommunikation, LEK) and the GDPR, we obtain your prior, informed, and freely given consent before placing any non-essential cookies or similar technologies on your device.
2. What Are Cookies?
A cookie is a small text file placed on your device (computer, smartphone, tablet) by a website or application when you visit or use it. Cookies are widely used to make websites work efficiently, to remember your preferences, and to provide information to website owners.
Similar technologies we may use alongside cookies include:
- Local storage / session storage — browser-based storage of small data objects;
- Pixel tags / web beacons — tiny invisible images used to track page views or email opens;
- Device fingerprinting — collection of technical device attributes used to infer a unique identifier (we use this only in a limited, privacy-preserving manner for security purposes);
- SDK analytics identifiers — used within our mobile application for session and crash analytics.
3. Cookie Consent
In accordance with the ePrivacy Directive and the GDPR:
- Essential cookies are placed automatically as they are necessary for the Service to function; no consent is required.
- All non-essential cookies (analytics, preference, marketing) require your explicit prior consent, expressed through an affirmative action (e.g., clicking "Accept" or selecting specific cookie categories in our Consent Manager).
- We do not use pre-ticked boxes, bundled consent, or default "accept" settings for non-essential cookies.
- Refusing non-essential cookies will not affect your ability to access the core Service.
You may manage your cookie preferences at any time. See Section 8 (How to Manage and Withdraw Consent).
4. Categories of Cookies We Use
4.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies
Consent required: No (exempt under ePrivacy Directive)
These cookies are essential for the Service to operate and cannot be disabled. They are typically set in response to actions you take, such as logging in, setting your privacy preferences, or filling in forms.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
session_id |
NewsWave | Maintains your authenticated session | Session (expires on browser close) |
csrf_token |
NewsWave | Cross-site request forgery protection | Session |
cookie_consent |
NewsWave | Stores your cookie consent preferences | 12 months |
auth_token |
NewsWave | Secure authentication token (httpOnly) | 30 days (refreshed on activity) |
app_locale |
NewsWave | Stores your selected language | 12 months |
Legal basis: Article 6(1)(b) GDPR (contractual necessity) / ePrivacy Directive Article 5(3) essential exemption.
4.2 Analytics and Performance Cookies
Consent required: Yes
These cookies help us understand how users interact with the Service so we can improve performance and content. The data collected is aggregated and does not identify individual users.
NewsWave is primarily a mobile application. The "cookies" listed below should be read as the equivalent persistent storage used by our mobile SDKs (PostHog persists a device-scoped distinct identifier; Firebase persists an Installation ID).
| Identifier | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Firebase Analytics installation ID | Firebase Analytics — Google Ireland Limited (EU data region) | Aggregated product analytics; consent-gated; no cross-site tracking | Until app uninstall or user deletion request |
| PostHog distinct ID | PostHog Inc. (EU Cloud, eu.posthog.com) | Product analytics + feature-flag delivery; consent-gated; no cross-site tracking | Until app uninstall or posthog.reset() (logout) |
Events emitted to either provider are privacy-bucketed at source: search queries are reduced to a length range (no raw text), URLs to hostname only, errors to a coarse category, profile-field changes carry the field name only and never the new value. The full event registry is in our source code at mobile/src/services/analytics/events.ts.
Note: We do not use Google Analytics for the web, nor any cross-site tracking or advertising-attribution tools. Our analytics are configured to keep data in the EEA wherever supported by the provider.
Legal basis: Article 6(1)(a) GDPR (consent).
4.3 Preference / Functional Cookies
Consent required: Yes
These cookies enable the Service to remember choices you have made to provide a more personalized experience.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
news_prefs |
NewsWave | Stores your selected news categories and topics | 12 months |
ui_theme |
NewsWave | Stores your preferred display mode (light/dark) | 12 months |
feed_layout |
NewsWave | Stores your preferred feed layout | 12 months |
push_dismissed |
NewsWave | Remembers if you have dismissed push notification prompts | 30 days |
Legal basis: Article 6(1)(a) GDPR (consent).
4.4 Marketing and Targeting Cookies
Consent required: Yes
We do not currently use cookies for behavioral advertising or targeted marketing directed at individual users. If we introduce such functionality in the future, we will update this Policy, obtain fresh consent, and provide full details of the cookies used.
We do not share cookie data with advertising networks or data brokers.
5. Third-Party Cookies
In some cases, third-party services integrated into the Service may set their own cookies on your device. These third parties have their own cookie and privacy policies, and we have no control over them.
Where we rely on third-party services that may set cookies, we list them in the table above. We ensure that such third parties:
- Are bound by a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) with NewsWave;
- Are located within the EEA or subject to appropriate transfer mechanisms (SCCs) if outside the EEA;
- Do not engage in cross-site behavioral advertising using data collected from our Service.
6. Cookie Duration
| Cookie Category | Typical Duration |
|---|---|
| Strictly Necessary | Session or up to 30 days for authentication |
| Analytics | Session to 13 months |
| Preference / Functional | Up to 12 months |
| Marketing | Not currently used |
"Session cookies" expire when you close your browser or end your app session. "Persistent cookies" remain until their expiry date or until you delete them.
7. Mobile Application — SDK Tracking
Our mobile application uses the following SDKs that perform functions similar to cookies. All analytics SDKs are gated behind explicit user consent:
- Firebase Cloud Messaging (Google Ireland Limited) — push notifications. Stores an FCM device token mapped to your account.
- Firebase Analytics (Google Ireland Limited, EU data region) — aggregated product analytics. Stores a Firebase Installation ID.
- PostHog (PostHog Inc., EU Cloud at
eu.posthog.com) — product analytics + feature-flag delivery. Stores a PostHog distinct identifier. - Sign in with Apple / Sign in with Google — federated authentication when you choose those sign-in providers. Each provider stores its own session credentials in accordance with its own privacy policy.
We do not request the iOS IDFA (Identifier for Advertisers) and we do not display the Apple App Tracking Transparency (ATT) prompt — we do not perform cross-app tracking.
On Android, we comply with Google Play's Data Safety requirements and the Privacy Sandbox guidelines. We do not integrate with any advertising network.
8. How to Manage and Withdraw Consent
8.1 In-App Consent Manager
You can review, update, or withdraw your cookie consent at any time by accessing:
- Web: Footer → "Cookie Settings" → Consent Manager
- Mobile app: Settings → Privacy → Cookie & Tracking Preferences
Changes take effect immediately. Withdrawing consent does not affect the lawfulness of any processing carried out before withdrawal.
8.2 Browser-Level Controls
You may also control cookies through your browser settings:
| Browser | Cookie Settings Location |
|---|---|
| Google Chrome | Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies and other site data |
| Mozilla Firefox | Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data |
| Safari | Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data |
| Microsoft Edge | Settings → Cookies and site permissions |
Blocking all cookies may affect the functionality of the Service (including essential features such as staying logged in).
8.3 Opt-Out Tools
For analytics tools, you may additionally use:
- Firebase Analytics: Disable via the in-app Settings → Privacy → Cookie & Tracking Preferences toggle. Your data subject rights, including deletion, can be exercised via Firebase Data Deletion or by emailing
dpo@thenewswave.app. - PostHog: Disable via the same in-app toggle. PostHog also provides a self-service deletion path; contact
dpo@thenewswave.appif you would prefer NewsWave to handle the request on your behalf.
9. Do Not Track (DNT)
We respect the Do Not Track (DNT) browser signal. Where a DNT signal is detected:
- Non-essential analytics cookies are not set;
- Behavioral data is not collected for profiling purposes;
- This is treated as equivalent to declining non-essential cookies in our Consent Manager.
10. Changes to This Cookie Policy
We will update this Cookie Policy to reflect changes in the cookies we use or applicable legal requirements. Material changes will be notified to you via in-app notification or email, and an updated consent prompt will be displayed where required.
The date of the most recent revision is shown at the top of this document.
11. Contact Us
For any questions about this Cookie Policy or how we use tracking technologies:
NewsWave — Sadashiv Gour (sole trader, Sweden) Email: privacy@thenewswave.app Data Protection Officer: dpo@thenewswave.app
This Cookie Policy is designed to comply with the ePrivacy Directive 2002/58/EC, GDPR (Regulation (EU) 2016/679), and Swedish Lagen om elektronisk kommunikation (LEK), as of the effective date stated above.