This Cookie Policy explains how taleforge.life ("the Site") uses cookies and similar technologies, what choices you have, and how Google Maps embeds interact with your consent. It should be read together with the Privacy Policy.
What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They help sites remember preferences, maintain security, and — with your permission — enable embedded content from third parties. Similar technologies include local storage entries, which the Site uses as a backup for consent preferences.
How I use cookies
I group cookies into three categories: essential, functional, and analytics. Only essential cookies are set without your prior choice. Functional and analytics cookies require consent via the cookie banner or the customise panel.
Essential cookies
Essential cookies are necessary for the Site to remember your cookie consent decision. Without them, the banner would appear on every visit and maps could not be managed consistently.
- Name: sg_blog_consent
- Purpose: Stores your consent choices (essential, functional, analytics flags and timestamp)
- Duration: Up to 180 days
- Provider: taleforge.life (first-party)
The Site also writes an equivalent value to local storage (cookie_consent_v1) when your browser permits, so preferences persist if cookies are cleared selectively.
Functional cookies
Functional cookies enable Google Maps embeds displayed on Site pages. If you reject functional cookies, maps are hidden and replaced with a placeholder until you choose to load them.
When you accept functional cookies or click "Load map" on a placeholder, the Site displays an iframe sourced from Google Maps. Google may set its own cookies and collect usage data according to Google's policies. I do not control Google's cookies. For details, see Google's Privacy Policy and Google's Cookie Policy.
Embedded maps show the Tiong Bahru neighbourhood at approximately zoom level 14. No Google Maps API key is used; the embed is a standard iframe provided by Google.
Analytics cookies
The Site does not currently set analytics cookies or use third-party analytics platforms. The consent banner includes an analytics toggle for transparency and future compatibility. If analytics are introduced later, this policy will be updated before they are activated, and fresh consent will be requested.
Your choices
When you first visit the Site, a bottom strip banner offers three actions:
- Accept all — enables essential and functional cookies; analytics remains off;
- Reject all — enables essential cookies only; maps remain hidden;
- Customise — opens a panel where you can toggle functional and analytics categories individually.
You may change your mind at any time:
Clicking "Manage cookies" reopens the consent panel. You can also clear cookies through your browser settings, which will cause the banner to appear again on your next visit.
Browser controls
Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies. Blocking all cookies may prevent the Site from remembering your consent and could affect embedded maps even after you attempt to enable them. Consult your browser's help documentation for instructions on cookie management.
Google Maps disclosure
Google Maps embeds are the only third-party functional content on the Site. They load only when functional consent is granted. The iframe communicates with Google's servers and may receive your IP address, device information, and interaction data. Google processes this data under its own terms as an independent data controller for those services.
If you prefer not to interact with Google, reject functional cookies and do not click "Load map". Pages remain fully readable without maps.
Updates
I may update this Cookie Policy when practices change or when new embeds are added. The "Last updated" date will reflect revisions. Material changes will be highlighted on the Site.
Contact
Questions about cookies or consent may be sent to [email protected] or to the postal address listed in the footer.
Summary table
For quick reference: essential cookies store consent only; functional cookies gate Google Maps; analytics cookies are not active. Rejecting all non-essential cookies leaves the Site fully readable. Accepting functional cookies loads map iframes that communicate with Google servers under Google's terms. You may withdraw functional consent at any time via the Manage cookies control above or by clearing site data in your browser.
No cookie is used to track you across other websites. This Site is intentionally small.