Cookies Policy

Last updated: 17 October 2025

This Cookies Policy explains how FinOps Lab uses cookies and similar technologies on our website. For how we process personal information more generally, see our Privacy Policy.

What we use today

• Google Analytics (GA4) for anonymous usage statistics.
• Google Search Console for site diagnostics and search performance (no cookies on our site).

We do not use advertising, remarketing, or social media tracking cookies.

1) What are cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device to help the site work and to understand how it’s used. Cookies can be first‑party (set by us) or third‑party (set by others), and may be session (deleted when you close your browser) or persistent (kept for a set time).

2) How we use cookies

We use cookies for the following purposes:

• Strictly necessary to operate core site functions (security, load balancing, consent preferences). These do not require consent.
• Analytics (consent‑based) to understand aggregated, anonymous usage and improve the site (Google Analytics).

3) Cookies we set/use

Actual cookies may vary slightly over time as Google updates their services.

A) Strictly necessary (first‑party)

• cookie_consent (or similar) — remembers your cookie choices. Expiry: up to 12 months.
• Security/performance cookies set by our hosting (names vary) — keep the site reliable and secure. Expiry: session to 12 months.

B) Analytics (Google Analytics 4) — first‑party

• _ga — distinguishes unique visitors. Expiry: 2 years.
• _ga_<container-id> — persists session state for GA4. Expiry: 2 years.
• _gid — distinguishes visits within 24 hours. Expiry: 24 hours.

Google Search Console

Used only for site verification and performance reporting in Google’s tools. It does not place cookies on our site.

4) Your choices

On your first visit, we present a cookie banner with options to Accept all, Reject non‑essential, or Manage preferences. You can update your decision anytime:

• Browser controls: You can block/delete cookies in your browser settings.
• Google Analytics opt‑out: You can install the Google Analytics Opt‑out Browser Add‑on.

Rejecting analytics cookies will not affect essential site functions.

5) Legal basis and POPIA

For strictly necessary cookies, our legal basis is our legitimate interest in running a secure, functional website. For analytics cookies, we rely on your consent. We honour your choices and minimise data collection in line with POPIA.

6) Data transfers

Google Analytics may process limited information outside South Africa. We seek to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place (e.g., contractual protections) consistent with POPIA’s cross‑border transfer requirements.

7) Changes to this Policy

We may update this Policy from time to time. The latest version will always be available here with the updated date.

8) Contact us

If you have questions about our use of cookies:

FinOps Lab

Bedfordview, Johannesburg, South Africa

Email: hello@finopslab.co.za

Phone: +27 82 339 9842