Cookies
Last updated: 19 August 2026
1. About this policy
This policy explains how readingmaps.com ("Reading Maps", "we", "us", "our") uses cookies and similar technologies, what each one does, how long it lasts, and how you can control them.
Reading Maps is operated by Aires Loutsaris based in the United Kingdom. We are the data controller for personal data collected through cookies on this site.
This policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy, which explains more broadly what personal data we collect, why, and what rights you have over it.
2. What cookies and similar technologies are
Cookies are small text files that a website places on your device. They allow the site to recognise your browser, remember choices you have made, and understand how the site is being used.
We also use technologies that work in a comparable way, and this policy covers all of them:
- Local storage and session storage - data your browser holds for this site, used for things like remembering your last map view.
- Pixels and tags - small embedded files that record that an email has been opened.
- Software development kits (SDKs) - third-party code embedded in the site, such as our map provider's, which may read or write data on your device in order to function.
Where this policy says "cookies", it means all of the above.
3. First-party and third-party cookies
First-party cookies are set by readingmaps.com. Third-party cookies are set by other organisations whose services we embed in the site - for example our map provider and our email provider.
Those third parties can read their own cookies and act as separate data controllers for the information they collect. We do not control what they do with it, and their own privacy and cookie policies apply.
4. The categories of cookie we use
4.1 Strictly necessary
These are required to deliver the website you have asked for. They cover security, session management and load balancing. The site will not work properly without them, so they cannot be switched off. Under UK law these do not require your consent.
4.2 Functional and preference
These remember choices you make so the site is more convenient - for example your last map position and zoom level, display preferences, dismissed notices and saved routes. The site works without them, but you will need to set your preferences again on each visit.
4.3 Analytics and advertising
We use Google Analytics 4 (GA4) to understand how the site is used - for example which routes, maps and games are popular - so we can improve it. GA4 sets cookies that give your browser a random identifier and record page views and interactions. It does not tell us who you are and does not store your full IP address.
We are also introducing Google AdSense to show adverts. When advertising is live, Google and its partners may set cookies to serve and measure ads and, only where you have agreed, to personalise them.
These analytics and advertising cookies are not strictly necessary. Where the law requires consent - in the UK, the EEA and Switzerland - they are switched off by default and are only set after you agree through our consent banner. You can change or withdraw that choice at any time (see section 7).
5. Cookies used on this site
The tables below list the cookies and similar technologies in use. Names and durations set by third parties are outside our control and may change; we review this list every six months.
5.1 Strictly necessary
| Name | Set by | Purpose | Type & duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| session id | Reading Maps | Keeps you signed in and maintains your session if you have an account or use the route submission portal. | First-party, session or 30 days |
| __cf_bm, cf_clearance | Cloudflare | Bot detection and traffic security for the hosting/CDN layer. | Third-party, 30 minutes to 1 year |
| maptiler session | MapTiler | Allows the interactive globe to load and function, and groups your map interactions into a single session. | Session / local storage |
5.2 Functional and preference
| Name | Set by | Purpose | Type & duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| map view state | Reading Maps / MapTiler | Remembers your last globe position, zoom level and map style so the map opens where you left it. | Local storage, until cleared |
| preferences | Reading Maps | Remembers display choices such as units, language, dismissed notices and saved or in-progress routes. | Local storage, until cleared |
5.3 Analytics and advertising
These are only set where you have consented (or, outside the UK/EEA/Switzerland, where consent is not legally required). Advertising cookies are listed for transparency and are not active until adverts go live on the site.
| Name | Set by | Purpose | Type & duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| _ga | Google Analytics | Gives your browser a random identifier so we can count unique visitors and measure overall usage. Does not store your name or full IP address. | Third-party, 2 years |
| _ga_H1Y51F42M4 | Google Analytics | Keeps session state for our GA4 property (H1Y51F42M4 is our measurement ID). | Third-party, 2 years |
| FCCDCF, FCNEC | Google (consent) | Remembers the consent choice you make on the banner so you are not asked again on every visit. | Third-party, up to 13 months |
| __gads, __gpi, IDE | Google AdSense | Set only when advertising is live, to serve and measure ads and - with your consent - personalise them. Not active until ads go live. | Third-party, up to 13-24 months |
6. Third-party services we use
The following third parties may set cookies or store data on your device when you use the site.
- MapTiler - supplies the interactive globe, map tiles and geocoding.
- Zoho - manages newsletter sign-ups and delivery.
- Cloudflare - serves the site and protects it from abusive traffic.
- Google - provides Google Analytics 4 (site analytics), Google AdSense (advertising, being introduced) and the consent banner that manages these choices. Google processes this data as a separate controller under its own privacy policy.
We also load book cover images from the Open Library API and film artwork from TMDB. These providers do not set cookies through our site, but because the images are served from their servers, your IP address and browser information are visible to them when an image loads.
7. Your choices and how to control cookies
7.1 The consent banner
If you are in the UK, the EEA or Switzerland, you will see a consent banner the first time you visit, provided by Google's certified consent management platform. Analytics and advertising cookies stay switched off until you make a choice, and you can accept them, reject them, or open the options to decide in more detail. Strictly necessary and preference cookies are not affected, as they do not require consent.
You can change or withdraw your consent at any time using the button below, which reopens these options; you can also clear this site's cookies in your browser to be asked again. Outside the UK, EEA and Switzerland, analytics cookies may be set without a banner - you can still opt out with the browser controls below or the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on.
7.2 Browser controls
Every major browser lets you block or delete cookies and clear local storage, usually under Settings, then Privacy. Blocking all cookies will stop parts of this site working - in particular saved preferences, map state and any signed-in features. Instructions for your browser are available at aboutcookies.org or in your browser's help pages.
8. How long cookies last
Session cookies are deleted when you close your browser. Persistent cookies remain on your device for the period shown in the tables above, or until you delete them.
9. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy to reflect changes to the site, the services we use, or the law. The date at the top shows when it was last revised.
10. Contact and complaints
For any question about this policy or about how we use cookies, contact support@readingmaps.com.
If you are in the UK and you are not satisfied with our response, you can complain to the Information Commissioner's Office at ico.org.uk, by calling 0303 123 1113, or by writing to Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF.