Cookie Policy
1. Introduction
This Cookie Policy explains how Foxpare ("we", "us", or "our") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies when you visit foxpare.com (the "Website"). It describes what these technologies are, why we use them, and your rights to control their use. Only strictly necessary cookies are used without consent. Analytics and session-analytics technologies are loaded only after you actively opt in to that category via our cookie banner, and you can withdraw your consent at any time using the "Cookie settings" link in the footer. This Cookie Policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy, which sets out how and why we collect, store, use and share personal data.
2. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device (computer, smartphone, or tablet) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work, or work more efficiently, and to provide information to website owners. Cookies can be:
- Session cookies — temporary cookies that are deleted when you close your browser.
- Persistent cookies — cookies that remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them.
- First-party cookies — cookies set by Foxpare directly.
- Third-party cookies — cookies set by external services we use, such as analytics providers.
Similar technologies such as web beacons, pixels, and local storage may also be used alongside cookies to collect information about your use of our Website.
3. Categories of Cookies We Use
3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for the Website to function and cannot be switched off. They are usually set in response to actions you take, such as setting your cookie preferences or logging in. Without these cookies, the Website cannot operate properly.
| Cookie Name | Type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| session_id | Strictly Necessary | Maintains your session state across page requests | Session |
| csrf_token | Strictly Necessary | Protects against cross-site request forgery attacks | Session |
| cookie_consent | Strictly Necessary | Stores your cookie consent preferences | 12 months |
| auth_token | Strictly Necessary | Authenticates logged-in users (if account feature enabled) | 30 days |
3.2 Performance & Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our Website by collecting and reporting information anonymously. This helps us improve the Website's performance and user experience.
| Cookie Name | Type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| _ga | Analytics (Google Analytics) | Distinguishes unique users by assigning a randomly generated number | 2 years |
| _ga_* | Analytics (Google Analytics) | Used to maintain session state across page requests | 2 years |
| _gid | Analytics (Google Analytics) | Distinguishes users — stores and updates a unique value for each page visited | 24 hours |
| _gat | Analytics (Google Analytics) | Used to throttle request rate to Google Analytics | 1 minute |
| _clck | Session analytics (Microsoft Clarity) | Persists a Clarity user identifier for one browser so sessions can be grouped | 12 months |
| _clsk | Session analytics (Microsoft Clarity) | Connects multiple page views by the same visitor into one session recording | 24 hours |
3.3 Session Analytics Cookies (Microsoft Clarity)
With your separate consent, we use Microsoft Clarity to record anonymised session activity — mouse movement, clicks, scrolling and page navigation — and to produce aggregated heatmaps, so we can find parts of the site that confuse people. Recordings are pseudonymised and text entered into fields is masked. We use them only to improve the site's usability. Microsoft acts as a processor and may process this data on servers outside Türkiye and the EEA, under its own safeguards. See Microsoft's privacy statement for details.
Session analytics is a separate, independent consent category: you can accept analytics without accepting session recording, and vice versa. Neither is loaded until you opt in.
3.3a Anonymous Page View Counting (No Cookies, No Consent Required)
To know how many people visit the site at all, we count page views ourselves, anonymously and in aggregate. This uses no cookies and no similar storage on your device. For each page view we record only the page path, the referring website's domain, a two-letter country code, whether the device is a phone, tablet or desktop, and whether the page was shown in English or German.
We store no IP address, no browser or device fingerprint, no session identifier and no user identifier. Your IP address is used only at the moment of the request to derive the country code and is immediately discarded. Because nothing is stored on your device and the records cannot identify or re-identify you, this counting does not require consent and runs for every visitor. Google Analytics and Microsoft Clarity, which do set cookies, remain fully consent-gated.
3.4 Functional Cookies
Functional cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third parties whose services we use. If you do not allow these cookies, some features may not work correctly.
| Cookie Name | Type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| user_prefs | Functional | Stores your filter and comparison preferences on Foxpare | 6 months |
| language | Functional | Remembers your preferred language setting | 12 months |
| recently_viewed | Functional | Stores recently viewed clinic cards for easier navigation | 30 days |
| shortlist | Functional | Saves clinics added to your shortlist | 30 days |
3.5 Marketing & Targeting Cookies — not used
Foxpare does not use advertising, marketing or retargeting cookies, and does not run ads. We do not sell your data, and we do not share your personal data with clinics — when you click through to a clinic's website you leave Foxpare and no personal information travels with you. We do not require an account, and we do not ask for your name, email or phone number to use the search. If this changes in the future, this Cookie Policy will be updated and your consent will be obtained.
4. Third-Party Services
We use the following third-party services that may set cookies on your device:
- Microsoft Clarity (Microsoft Corporation) — anonymised session replays and heatmaps. Microsoft's privacy statement is available at privacy.microsoft.com/privacystatement.
- Google Analytics (Google LLC) — website traffic analysis. Google's Privacy Policy is available at policies.google.com/privacy.
- Trustpilot — we display Trustpilot review widgets which may set cookies to display review content.
- Google Maps — if we embed maps, Google may set cookies. Google's cookie policy applies.
We do not control third-party cookies. Please refer to the respective third parties' privacy and cookie policies for more information.
5. Your Cookie Choices
5.1 Cookie Preference Centre
When you first visit Foxpare, a cookie consent banner allows you to accept or decline non-essential cookies. You can change your preferences at any time by clicking the "Cookie Settings" link in the footer of our Website.
5.2 Browser Settings
Most browsers allow you to refuse or delete cookies through their settings. The method varies by browser — please refer to your browser's help documentation. Note that blocking all cookies may affect Website functionality.
- Google Chrome: Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data
- Mozilla Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
- Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data
- Microsoft Edge: Settings > Cookies and site permissions
5.3 Opt-Out of Google Analytics
You can opt out of Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
5.4 Do Not Track
Some browsers have a "Do Not Track" feature. We currently do not respond to Do Not Track signals. If our practice changes, this policy will be updated.
6. Cookie Duration & Data Retention
The duration for which a cookie remains on your device depends on its type. Session cookies expire when you close your browser. Persistent cookies remain on your device for the period set out in the cookie table above, or until you delete them.
Analytics data collected via cookies is retained by Google Analytics 4 for up to 14 months and by Microsoft Clarity for up to 12 months. We do not retain raw cookie data ourselves beyond what is necessary for the Website to function.
7. Legal Basis for Processing
Where Foxpare operates in relation to users in the European Economic Area (EEA), the United Kingdom, or other jurisdictions with data protection laws:
- Strictly necessary cookies are used on the basis of our legitimate interests in providing a functioning website, without requiring separate consent.
- All other cookies (analytics, session analytics, functional) are used only with your explicit, opt-in consent, given per category via our cookie banner. Nothing is pre-ticked, refusing is as easy as accepting, and the relevant scripts are not loaded at all until you consent. We store your choice together with its timestamp and policy version, and ask again if the policy version changes.
You may withdraw consent at any time using the Cookie Settings link in our Website footer, without affecting the lawfulness of processing carried out before withdrawal.
8. Updates to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the cookies we use, legal requirements, or for other operational reasons. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this document will be revised accordingly.
Where changes are material, we will notify you via a prominent notice on our Website or by other appropriate means, and obtain your consent again where required by law.
9. Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests relating to this Cookie Policy or our use of cookies, please contact us:
- Email: info@foxpare.com
- Website: foxpare.com
- Response time: We aim to respond within 5 business days
Foxpare | foxpare.com | Cookie Policy | Effective 1 March 2026