meer.org uses a small number of essential cookies for security and, for signed-in members, session management. We do not run Google Analytics, advertising pixels, or third-party marketing trackers. Some third-party cookies — from YouTube, Vimeo, and PayPal — are set only when you actively play a video or start a donation. Because we do not set non-essential cookies without your action, we do not display a cookie consent banner.
1. What cookies are
Cookies are small text files that a website asks your browser to store on your device. They let a site remember information between pages and between visits — for example, keeping you signed in, or telling a security system that you have already passed a bot check.
2. Why websites use cookies
Cookies are typically used for four reasons:
- Essential — without them the site cannot function safely (for example, security and authentication).
- Functional — remembering your preferences.
- Analytics — measuring how visitors use the site.
- Advertising / tracking — profiling visitors across sites for marketing.
meer.org uses only the first two categories, and only where necessary. We do not use analytics cookies or advertising / tracking cookies.
3. Cookies MEER uses
The full list of cookies that may be set through meer.org:
| Cookie / token | Provider | Purpose | Category | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| __cf_bm | Cloudflare | Distinguishes humans from bots to protect the site from automated abuse. | Essential | ~30 minutes |
| cf_clearance | Cloudflare | Set only if Cloudflare's security layer issues a challenge and the visitor passes it. Not set on normal visits. | Essential | Up to 30 days |
| cf_chl_* | Cloudflare Turnstile | Transient tokens used while the Turnstile human-verification widget is running on a form submission. | Essential | Transient (seconds) |
| sb-<project>-auth-token | Supabase (Lovable Cloud) | Keeps you signed in to the members portal. Only set after you sign in at /portal. | Functional | Session / until sign-out |
| YouTube (VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE, YSC, etc.) | YouTube (via youtube-nocookie.com) | Set by YouTube only when you press play on an embedded video. We use privacy-enhanced mode so nothing is set until you interact. | Third-party (on interaction) | Session – 6 months |
| Vimeo (vuid, player) | Vimeo | Set by Vimeo when you play the featured documentary or another Vimeo-hosted clip. | Third-party (on interaction) | Session – 2 years |
| PayPal cookies | PayPal | Set on PayPal's own site once you click Donate and are handed off to PayPal to complete the gift. Not set on meer.org itself. | Third-party (on interaction) | Varies (see PayPal) |
4. Which cookies are essential
The Cloudflare cookies (__cf_bm, cf_clearance, Turnstile tokens) are essential. They protect the site from denial-of-service attacks, credential stuffing, and scraping. Without them we could not offer a reliable service.
5. Cookies set only after user interaction
These are not set unless you initiate the action:
- The Supabase authentication cookie is set only after you sign in to the members portal.
- YouTube cookies are set only after you press play on an embedded video (we load YouTube in privacy-enhanced mode so nothing is set beforehand).
- Vimeo cookies are set only after you play the featured documentary or a Vimeo-hosted clip.
- PayPal cookies are set on PayPal’s own site after you click a Donate button.
6. Third-party services that may place cookies
As above: Cloudflare (security), Supabase / Lovable Cloud (authentication for signed-in members), YouTube, Vimeo, and PayPal (only on interaction). Each of these providers has their own privacy and cookie policy:
- Cloudflare Cookie Policy
- Supabase Privacy Policy
- YouTube (Google) Cookies
- Vimeo Cookie Policy
- PayPal Cookie Statement
7. Similar technologies
The members portal uses browser localStorage to hold your authentication token. This is functionally similar to a cookie and is only set once you sign in. Clearing site data or signing out removes it.
8. No advertising or tracking cookies
We do not run Google Analytics, Meta / Facebook Pixel, TikTok Pixel, LinkedIn Insight Tag, session-replay tools (such as Hotjar or FullStory), or any advertising network. We do not sell, rent, or share your data with advertising or marketing companies.
For an aggregate sense of how the site is being used we may enable Cloudflare Web Analytics, which is cookieless and does not identify individual visitors. If this changes we will update this page and, where a tool sets non-essential cookies, we will display a consent banner as required by UK PECR.
9. Managing or disabling cookies in your browser
You can control cookies in your browser settings. Instructions vary by browser:
Blocking essential Cloudflare cookies may cause security challenges to reappear or block access. Blocking the Supabase cookie will sign you out of the members portal. Blocking third-party cookies will not affect browsing meer.org itself but may stop embedded YouTube, Vimeo, or PayPal content from working.
10. Future changes
If we introduce a service that requires additional cookies — for example, a new analytics tool, an interactive map that uses third-party tiles, or a payment method other than PayPal — we will update this policy before launching it and, where required, ask for your consent.
11. More information
For the wider picture of how we handle personal data — including your rights, retention periods, and how to contact us — see our Privacy Policy. For any question, email info@meer.org or use our contact form.