1. What Are Cookies and Terminal Storage
Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They allow the site to remember your actions and preferences over time. The use of cookies and terminal storage technologies is regulated by Article 5(3) of the ePrivacy Directive (Directive 2002/58/EC, as amended by Directive 2009/136/EC), the European Data Protection Board's EDPB Guidelines 2/2023 on Technical Scope, and the GDPR where personal data is processed. (Note: The proposed ePrivacy Regulation was officially withdrawn by the European Commission in February 2025; the ePrivacy Directive remains the applicable EU standard.)
HourCount EU takes a strict privacy-first approach. We use only essential cookies and local storage mechanisms required to deliver the time-tracking application. We do not use advertising cookies, tracking pixels, social media plugins, or third-party analytics.
2. Cookies We Use
All cookies used by HourCount EU fall into the "strictly necessary" category under Article 5(3) of the ePrivacy Directive. These cookies are exempt from consent banner requirements because the service requested by the user cannot function without them.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration | Consent Exemption Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
PHP Session ID (PHPSESSID) |
Authentication — maintains logged-in state across page loads | Session (deleted on browser close) | Strictly necessary (Art. 5(3) ePrivacy) |
| Session persistence token | "Remember me" functionality — allows secure reconnection | 30 days | Strictly necessary (User-requested feature) |
| CSRF token | Security — protects against cross-site request forgery attacks | Session | Strictly necessary (System security) |
| Theme preference | Stores UI display preferences (e.g. dark/light theme) | 1 year | Strictly necessary (User-requested preference) |
3. Cookies We Do NOT Use
We do not use any of the following:
- Advertising cookies — no Google Ads, Meta Pixel, or commercial ad network code
- Analytics cookies — no Google Analytics, Matomo, or third-party behavioral trackers
- Social media cookies — no Facebook, Twitter/X, or LinkedIn tracking widgets
- Cross-site tracking — no fingerprinting, canvas tracking, or cross-domain profiling
- Marketing pixels — no retargeting or conversion tracking tools
4. Local Storage and Browser Technologies (EDPB Guidelines 2/2023)
In accordance with EDPB Guidelines 2/2023 on Article 5(3) of the ePrivacy Directive, browser-side storage tools like LocalStorage, SessionStorage, and IndexedDB are subject to the same legal standards as traditional cookies.
HourCount EU uses first-party LocalStorage and IndexedDB strictly for operational user experience features:
- Live timer continuity — keeps your shift timer running accurately across page transitions
- Draft protection — temporarily saves unsaved task/shift input forms to prevent data loss during network hiccups
- UI workspace state — remembers active filter selections and sidebar expanded/collapsed state
All local storage data is stored locally on your device, is non-tracking, and is strictly necessary for providing the web application service requested by you. It can be cleared at any time via your browser settings.
5. Consent and Your Choices
Because HourCount EU relies solely on strictly necessary storage mechanisms under Article 5(3) of the ePrivacy Directive, we do not display intrusive consent banners. Consent is legally exempt for storage operations essential to deliver a user-requested service.
If non-essential cookies (such as optional self-hosted analytics) are ever proposed in the future, we will:
- Display an explicit consent banner prior to setting any non-essential storage
- Provide an equal choice to accept or decline without degradation of basic service
- Allow instant withdrawal of consent at any time via account settings
- Ensure consent meets GDPR Article 7 standards (freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous)
6. Managing Cookies in Your Browser
You can control and delete cookies through your browser settings. Note that if you disable session cookies, you will not be able to log in to HourCount EU.
- 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 → Cookies and site permissions → Cookies and site data
7. Changes to This Policy
If we change our cookie practices, we will update this page and indicate the date of the last update. If we introduce non-essential cookies, we will notify you and seek consent before deploying them.
8. Contact
For questions about our cookie practices, please contact us through the details on our Imprint page.