Effective Date: 2026-05-01
Last Updated: 2026-05-08
1. What Are Cookies and Similar Technologies
Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. Similar technologies include localStorage (browser-side persistent storage), sessionStorage, and pixel tags. They help websites remember your preferences and analyze usage.
2. How We Use These Technologies
The Forza Horizon Car Wiki uses minimal cookies and localStorage to deliver the Site's functionality. We never use cookies for advertising profiling without explicit consent, and we do not share cookie data with third-party advertisers without your permission.
3. Categories of Cookies We Use (or May Use)
3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies (Always Active — No Consent Required)
These cookies are essential for the Site to function. Without them, the Site cannot operate properly.
| Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
cf_clearance | Cloudflare | DDoS / bot mitigation | 30 minutes |
__cf_bm | Cloudflare | Bot management | 30 minutes |
3.2 Functional Local Storage (Browser-Side, Not Cookies)
These items are stored in your browser's localStorage and are never sent to our servers.
| Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
fh_garage | Stores your bookmarked Forza Horizon car list (My Garage feature) | Until you clear it |
fh_theme | Theme preference (if any) | Until you clear it |
fh_consent | Records your cookie consent choices | 12 months |
3.3 Performance & Analytics Cookies (Consent Required)
If we enable analytics in the future, the following may be set only with your consent:
| Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
_ga | Google Analytics 4 | Distinguish unique users (aggregate stats) | 2 years |
_gid | Google Analytics 4 | Distinguish unique users (24h) | 24 hours |
_gat | Google Analytics 4 | Throttle request rate | 1 minute |
cf_analytics | Cloudflare | Privacy-friendly aggregate analytics | Session |
3.4 Marketing & Advertising Cookies (Consent Required, Currently NOT Active)
If we enable advertising via Google AdSense in the future, ad-related cookies will only be set with your explicit opt-in consent through a clear consent banner. Currently, no advertising cookies are active on the Site.
| Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
__gads | Google AdSense | Ad serving and frequency control | 13 months |
__gpi | Google AdSense | Ad personalization | 13 months |
IDE | Google DoubleClick | Ad measurement | 13 months |
4. Third-Party Cookies
The Site may load third-party services that set their own cookies:
- Cloudflare — security and DDoS protection (always active, strictly necessary)
- Google Fonts — font delivery (no cookies, but logs requests)
- Google Analytics (future, with consent) — see Google's cookie list
- Google AdSense (future, with consent) — see Google Ads cookie info
5. Your Choices and Controls
5.1 Consent Banner
If we activate optional cookies (analytics or advertising), a consent banner will appear on your first visit, allowing you to accept all, reject all, or customize choices. Your selection is stored in fh_consent for 12 months.
5.2 Browser Controls
You can clear or block cookies anytime via your browser settings:
- Chrome / Edge: Settings → Privacy and security → Site settings → Cookies
- Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
- Safari (macOS): Settings → Privacy → Manage Website Data
- Safari (iOS): Settings → Safari → Advanced → Website Data
Note: clearing your browser data will erase your fh_garage bookmarked car list.
5.3 Opt-Out Tools
- Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
- Your Online Choices (EU)
- Digital Advertising Alliance Opt-out (US)
6. Do Not Track (DNT) Signals
We respect browser-issued Do Not Track signals. When DNT is enabled, no analytics or advertising scripts will load, regardless of your consent state.
7. Global Privacy Control (GPC)
We honor Global Privacy Control signals as a valid opt-out under CCPA / CPRA. When GPC is detected, we treat it as your request to opt out of any sale or sharing of personal information.
8. Withdrawing Consent
You may withdraw consent for non-essential cookies at any time by:
- Clicking the "Cookie Settings" link (footer, when active)
- Clearing the
fh_consententry in your browser's localStorage - Disabling cookies entirely in your browser
9. Children's Cookies
Consistent with our Privacy Policy, we do not knowingly target users under 13 (or 16 in some jurisdictions). No cookies are designed to profile minors.
10. Changes to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Policy as we add or remove technologies. Material changes will be posted on this page with an updated Effective Date. If we add new categories of cookies (such as advertising), we will refresh consent before they take effect.
11. Contact
For cookie-related questions: 📧 privacy@[your-domain].com — see Contact