Cookies Policy
We use first-party cookies that keep members signed in to GC Forum and help complete the secure login flow. We also use Google Tag Manager for anonymous site analytics, but only if you give your consent via the cookie banner shown on your first visit.
Strictly necessary cookies
These cookies are set when you log in and are required to deliver the member-only areas of the site. They are managed by our authentication platform, which provides secure access for GC Forum members.
| Cookie name | Purpose | Category | Retention |
|---|---|---|---|
sb-mlszwzjcqcisnxcsrvlf-auth-token The value is encrypted and only exchanged with our secure database environment. | Stores the authentication access token and refresh token that allow members to stay signed in across protected pages. | Authentication (strictly necessary) | Access token rotates roughly every hour; the cookie itself is renewed while you stay signed in and is cleared immediately when you log out. |
sb-mlszwzjcqcisnxcsrvlf-auth-token.0 / sb-mlszwzjcqcisnxcsrvlf-auth-token.1 Contains no additional data beyond the same access/refresh token information. | Chunked extensions of the main auth cookie. They appear only if the session payload is larger than a single cookie can hold. | Authentication (strictly necessary) | Matches the lifetime of the primary auth cookie and disappears when you sign out. |
sb-mlszwzjcqcisnxcsrvlf-auth-token-code-verifier Present only while you are submitting the login form. | Temporary key created during the PKCE login handshake so our authentication service can verify the person completing sign-in is the one who initiated it. | Authentication (strictly necessary) | Removed moments after the login attempt completes (successful or not). |
Analytics cookies (consent required)
If you click “Accept all” on the cookie banner, Google Tag Manager may set cookies to help us understand how the site is used (e.g. page views, navigation patterns). These cookies are only placed after you give your explicit consent. If you choose “Necessary only”, no analytics cookies are set and no data is shared with Google.
You can change your preference at any time by clearing your browser’s local storage for this site and reloading the page — the cookie banner will reappear.
Cookies we do not use
The GC Forum website does not set advertising or social media tracking cookies.
Managing your cookies
You can clear or block our cookies at any time using your browser settings. Doing so will sign you out of the member dashboard, and you will be prompted to log in again the next time you visit a protected page. If you have questions about how we use cookies, please contact the Birketts data team at data@birketts.co.uk.