Cookies
This page explains what cookies and local storage entries voicebloom.life uses, why they exist, and what happens when you accept, reject, or customise choices. I write it in plain Singapore English because consent should be understandable, not buried.
What cookies are
Cookies are small text files a browser stores when a site asks it to. Local storage is similar — a place in your browser that can hold a string until cleared. Neither is a program; they do not run code on your device.
What this site uses
Essential. The sg_blog_consent cookie remembers your cookie choice so the banner does not reappear every visit. A mirror entry cookie_consent_v1 in localStorage helps the site read your choice quickly. These are first-party only. Path=/, SameSite=Lax, about six months (180 days) unless you clear them sooner.
Functional / embedded content. Google Maps iframes on every page load only when functional is allowed — either because you pressed Accept all, enabled Functional in Customise, or pressed Load map on a placeholder. If you Reject all, maps stay paused behind a quiet placeholder with a Load map button that grants functional consent for that view.
Analytics. Off by default. This pack does not load Google Analytics or similar trackers. The analytics toggle exists so the panel is honest if I add a counter later. Today it changes nothing.
Your choices
On first visit you will see a bottom strip with Accept all, Reject all, and Customise. Accept all turns functional on for maps. Reject all keeps maps paused unless you explicitly load one. Customise lets you flip Functional and Analytics independently, then Save choices.
The banner is not a blocking modal — you can scroll and read the blog while it is visible. After you choose, the banner hides until consent expires or you clear storage.
Manage cookies later
Pressing Manage reopens the same panel with your saved toggles reflected. Saving overwrites the previous value in both the cookie and localStorage.
Google Maps specifically
Maps are embedded from Google’s servers when allowed. Google may set its own cookies or process IP addresses and device data according to their policies. I do not receive individual visitor identities from Google. Maps on this site show Woodlands / Marsiling at neighbourhood zoom, not my exact flat.
Under Reject all on voicebloom.life, embeds do not load automatically. You will see a placeholder and may press Load map once, which stores functional consent like a Customise save with Functional on.
How to clear cookies in your browser
In Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Delete browsing data → Cookies. In Safari: Settings → Privacy → Manage Website Data. In Firefox: Settings → Privacy → Cookies and Site Data → Clear Data. After clearing, the banner will appear again on your next visit.
Retention
Consent choices expire after about six months (15552000 seconds). When they expire, the banner returns and maps follow your new choice. I do not claim storage is forever.
Changes
If I add a new category or tool, this page will update and the banner will ask again when required. Last updated 2026-08-11.
More information
See Privacy for PDPA context and contact details. Email [email protected] if something here is unclear.
Why localStorage mirrors the cookie
Some browsers block third-party cookies or clear them aggressively. Mirroring your choice in localStorage lets the site read consent quickly on return visits without showing the banner again within the six-month window. Both stores hold the same JSON shape: essential true, functional and analytics booleans, timestamp, version number one.
Testing your choice
After Accept or Reject, open developer tools → Application → Cookies and confirm sg_blog_consent exists. Check Local Storage for cookie_consent_v1. Reload with Ctrl+F5; the banner should stay hidden. Navigate to another page; maps should follow your functional setting.
Questions from readers
If you prefer email over toggles, write [email protected] and say whether you want maps on or off. I can reply with plain instructions for your browser, but I cannot change your browser settings remotely.
Personal blog · my own views · not professional advice.