Cookie Policy

Last Updated: February 11, 2026

1. Introduction

This Cookie Policy explains what cookies and similar technologies are, how Book Community Centre ("BCC", "we", "us", or "our") uses them on the BCC Platform, and how you can manage your preferences.

This policy should be read together with our Privacy Policy, which explains how we handle your personal data.

What are cookies? Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They help websites remember your preferences, maintain your session, and improve your browsing experience.

What is local storage? Local storage is a web technology that allows websites to store data in your browser. Unlike cookies, local storage data is not sent to the server with every request. We use local storage to remember your cookie consent preferences.

2. How We Use Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

Enable core functionality: Keep you logged in and maintain your session securely
Process payments: Enable secure payment processing via Stripe
Improve performance: Understand how users interact with our platform (with your consent)
Remember preferences: Store your settings and preferences (with your consent)
Ensure security: Protect against fraud, unauthorised access, and security threats
Monitor errors: Identify and fix technical issues to improve platform reliability

3. Types of Cookies We Use

3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies (Always Active)

These cookies are essential for the platform to function. They cannot be disabled without breaking core functionality.

Authentication Cookies:

Cookie Name	Purpose	Duration	HttpOnly	Secure
`access_token`	JWT token for authenticating your API requests	1 hour	Yes	Yes (production)
`refresh_token`	Used to obtain a new access token when it expires	7 days	Yes	Yes (production)
`session`	Encrypted Next.js session for server-side authentication	7 days	Yes	Yes (production)

All authentication cookies are set with sameSite: lax for CSRF protection. They are httpOnly, meaning they cannot be accessed by JavaScript running on the page, providing protection against cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks.

These cookies are cleared when you log out.

Can I disable these? No. Without these cookies, you cannot log in, make bookings, or use any authenticated features.

3.2 Analytics Cookies (Opt-in Required)

These cookies help us understand how users interact with our platform so we can improve it.

Service: Vercel Analytics (we do not use Google Analytics) Privacy Policy: Vercel Privacy Policy

What they do:

Track page views and navigation patterns
Measure platform performance and load times
Identify popular features and pages
Help us improve user experience

Duration: Up to 26 months

Important: Analytics cookies are only loaded after you give consent. We use Google Consent Mode v2 to ensure that analytics tracking is fully disabled until you opt in (see Section 6).

Can I disable these? Yes. You can opt out at any time via our Cookie Preference Centre or by adjusting your consent settings. The platform will continue to function normally without analytics cookies.

3.3 Functional Cookies (Opt-in Required)

These cookies remember your preferences and settings to personalise your experience.

What they do:

Store display and interface preferences
Remember settings across visits

Duration: Up to 1 year

Can I disable these? Yes. If disabled, your preferences won't be saved between visits and you may need to set them each time.

3.4 Marketing and Advertising Cookies

We do not use marketing or advertising cookies.

BCC does not use cookies for advertising, retargeting, behavioural tracking, or marketing purposes. We do not serve ads on our platform.

4. Third-Party Cookies

Some third-party services we integrate with may set their own cookies on your device:

4.1 Stripe (Payment Processing)

Purpose: Enable secure payment processing during checkout Type: Strictly necessary (during payment flows) Set when: You initiate a payment or interact with the checkout form Privacy Policy: Stripe Privacy Policy Cookie Policy: Stripe Cookie Policy

Stripe may set cookies for fraud detection, security, and payment processing. These cookies are managed by Stripe and are necessary for secure transactions. We do not control Stripe's cookies.

4.2 Google (OAuth Authentication)

Purpose: Enable "Sign in with Google" functionality Type: Strictly necessary (only during Google sign-in flow) Set when: You choose to sign in with Google Privacy Policy: Google Privacy Policy

Google may set authentication cookies when you use the "Sign in with Google" option. These are only set if you actively choose Google sign-in.

4.3 Sentry (Error Monitoring)

Purpose: Error tracking and performance monitoring Type: Strictly necessary (for platform reliability) Privacy Policy: Sentry Privacy Policy

Sentry may set cookies or use similar technologies for error reporting and performance monitoring. All error data is anonymised — no personally identifiable information is stored in error reports. This data is used exclusively for technical debugging and platform reliability.

5. Local Storage

In addition to cookies, we use browser local storage for the following:

Storage Key	Purpose	Duration	Can Disable?
`bcc-cookie-consent`	Stores your cookie consent preferences and version	Until you clear browser data or update preferences	No (required to remember your consent choice)

Your consent preferences are stored locally on your device and are not sent to our servers. If you clear your browser data, you will be asked to set your cookie preferences again.

6. Google Consent Mode v2

We implement Google Consent Mode v2 to ensure compliance with GDPR and the ePrivacy Directive. This works as follows:

Consent Signal	Default State	When Granted
`analytics_storage`	Denied	When you consent to Analytics cookies
`functionality_storage`	Denied	When you consent to Functional cookies
`ad_storage`	Always denied	Never — we do not use advertising cookies

How this protects you:

No analytics data is collected until you explicitly consent
Your consent choice is respected across all integrated services
Advertising storage is permanently denied — we never enable it
You can change your preferences at any time

7. Managing Your Cookie Preferences

7.1 Cookie Preference Centre

You can manage your cookie preferences at any time:

Click "Cookie Preferences" in the website footer
Toggle Analytics and Functional cookies on or off
Your choice takes effect immediately
Strictly necessary cookies cannot be disabled

7.2 Browser Settings

You can also control cookies through your browser:

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 → Privacy, search, and services → Cookies and site permissions

Note: Blocking all cookies via your browser will prevent you from logging in and using the platform.

7.3 Clearing Cookies

You can clear cookies at any time through your browser settings. This will:

Log you out of BCC
Reset your cookie consent preferences (you'll see the consent banner again)
Remove any stored preferences

8. Impact of Disabling Cookies

If You Disable...	What Happens
Analytics cookies	Platform works normally. We can't measure performance or usage patterns.
Functional cookies	Platform works, but your preferences won't be saved between visits.
Strictly necessary cookies	Platform will not work. You cannot log in, make bookings, or process payments.
All cookies (via browser)	Platform will not work. Same as disabling necessary cookies.

9. Legal Basis

Under the ePrivacy Directive (as implemented in Irish law by S.I. No. 336/2011) and GDPR:

Strictly necessary cookies do not require consent — they are essential for the service you have requested (Regulation 5(5) of S.I. No. 336/2011).
Analytics and functional cookies require your prior consent before being set (Regulation 5(3) of S.I. No. 336/2011).
We obtain consent through our Cookie Preference Centre before setting any non-essential cookies.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time. When we do:

We will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page
We will post the updated policy on this page
For material changes (such as adding new cookie categories, new third-party trackers, or changing a cookie's legal basis), we will reset your consent preferences and you will see the cookie consent banner again, giving you the opportunity to review and re-consent before any new non-essential cookies are set

11. Contact Us

If you have questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us:

Email: info@bookcommunitycentre.ie Address: C4, Swords Enterprise Park, Feltrim Road, Swords, Co. Dublin, K67 HC44, Ireland

For broader questions about how we handle your personal data, please see our Privacy Policy.

This Cookie Policy is effective as of February 11, 2026.

Book Community Centre is a product of Sandron Infotec Limited, a company registered in Ireland (Company No. 797329).