What Cookies Are
Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They help the site remember your preferences and understand how visitors use it. This policy also covers similar technologies such as local storage, session storage, and tracking pixels.
Why We Use Cookies
We use cookies to keep StarGem Match running smoothly, remember your choices (like your cookie-consent and age-gate acknowledgement), and understand how visitors interact with our games. We do not use cookies to identify you personally or to sell data.
Categories of Cookies We Use
| Category | Purpose | Examples | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strictly necessary | Keep the site running — session handling, security, age-gate acknowledgement, cookie-consent record. | __age_ok, __cc_v1 | Session to 12 months |
| Performance / analytics | Anonymous traffic measurement to help us understand which pages and games are popular. | Cloudflare Web Analytics (__cf_bm) | Up to 30 days |
| Functional | Remembers UI preferences such as volume settings on game widgets and accepted age-gate status. | Local storage keys for game state | Up to 12 months |
| Advertising / targeting | When you arrive via a paid advertising campaign, third-party cookies from Google Ads or Microsoft Advertising may be set (only with your consent). These help measure campaign effectiveness. | Google Ads (_gclid), Microsoft Advertising (_uetmsclkid). See Google's cookie policy and Microsoft's privacy statement. | Up to 13 months |
Lawful Basis
Under the Privacy Act 2020 and the Unsolicited Electronic Messages Act 2007, strictly necessary cookies are set on the basis of legitimate interest — they are required for the site to function and no consent is needed. All other categories (performance, functional, advertising) are set only with your informed consent (consistent with Information Privacy Principle 3). You may withdraw consent at any time (see below).
How to Manage Your Cookies on StarGem Match
When you first visit the site, a banner offers two choices: "Accept all" or "Essential only". Your selection is stored in localStorage.__cc_v1. To change your preference later, clear that key using your browser's developer tools (Application → Local Storage → stargemmatch.com) or clear all site data via your browser settings.
How to Manage Cookies in Your Browser
You can also control or delete cookies directly in your browser. Instructions for the most common browsers:
Blocking all cookies may affect site functionality (for example, your age-gate acknowledgement will not be remembered).
Third-Party Cookies and Services
The following third parties may set cookies on your device when you use StarGem Match:
- Cloudflare — provides hosting, security (DDoS protection), and privacy-focused analytics. Cloudflare Privacy Policy.
- Google — if you arrive via a Google Ads campaign and consent to advertising cookies, Google may set measurement cookies. Google Privacy Policy.
- Microsoft — if you arrive via a Microsoft Advertising campaign and consent to advertising cookies, Microsoft may set measurement cookies. Microsoft Privacy Statement.
Do Not Track and Global Privacy Control
We honour the Global Privacy Control (GPC) signal. When your browser sends a GPC signal, we treat it as a withdrawal of consent for analytics and advertising cookies — only strictly necessary cookies will be set. The older Do Not Track (DNT) header is not a legally binding standard; however, we respect it in the same way as GPC.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time. The "Last updated" date at the top reflects the latest revision. Continued use of the site after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
Contact
For cookie-related queries, email support@stargemmatch.com.
Operating company: StarGem Studios Limited. Registered office: 92 Victoria Street, Hamilton 3204.