Cookie Policy
Last updated: [LAUNCH DATE] | Own Your Narrative Ltd | Company No: 17066279
This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are, which ones we use, and how our use of cookies varies depending on the tier you choose. We have written this in plain English because we believe you deserve to understand it.
In plain English: Cookies are small files stored on your device that help websites work and track behaviour. We tell you exactly which ones we use — and if you choose Premium, we use the minimum possible.
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work, remember your preferences, and collect information about how you use a site.
Cookies can be “session cookies” (deleted when you close your browser) or “persistent cookies” (stored for a set period). They can be set by us (“first-party cookies”) or by third-party services we use (“third-party cookies”).
2. Cookies We Use — By Tier
The cookies active on your account depend entirely on the tier you choose. This is central to our transparent data model.
| Cookie Type | Tiers Applied | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Essential cookies | All tiers including Premium | Required for the platform to function. Login sessions, security, account management. Cannot be disabled. |
| Google Analytics | Tiers 1, 2, and 3 only | Collects anonymised data about how readers use the platform — pages visited, time spent, device type. |
| Hotjar | Tiers 2 and 3 only | Heatmaps and session behaviour analysis. Helps us understand how readers interact with the platform. |
| First-party tracking | Tiers 1, 2, and 3 only | WordPress-based tracking of reading behaviour — which books, completion rates, session data. |
| Stripe | Premium only | Payment processing cookies. Required to handle Premium subscription payments securely. |
In plain English: Premium accounts only ever have essential cookies and Stripe payment cookies. No analytics, no tracking, no heatmaps. Free tier users have analytics cookies active — this is the trade-off for free access, and you agree to it by choosing a free tier.
3. Essential Cookies in Detail
These cookies are necessary for the platform to work and cannot be switched off. They include:
- Login session cookies — keeps you logged in while you use the platform
- Security cookies — protect against cross-site request forgery (CSRF)
- Preference cookies — remembers your tier and account settings
- Reading progress cookies — saves your place in books you are reading
4. Managing Cookies
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies. However, blocking essential cookies will prevent the platform from functioning correctly — you will not be able to log in or read books.
For analytics and tracking cookies, the most effective way to opt out is to choose the Premium tier, which applies no analytics tools to your account.
You can also opt out of Google Analytics tracking across all websites using the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
5. Third-Party Cookie Policies
Third-party services we use have their own cookie and privacy policies:
6. Changes to This Policy
We will update this Cookie Policy if our use of cookies changes. The date at the top of this page reflects the most recent update. Significant changes will be communicated to account holders by email.
7. Contact Us
Own Your Narrative Ltd
Email: privacy@ownyournarrative.co.uk
Registered address: 71-75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9JQ
Company No: 17066279