Cookie Policy
1 May 2026
25 May 2026
What Are Cookies and Similar Technologies
Cookies are small text files that websites place on your device (computer, smartphone, or tablet) when you visit them. They allow the website to recognise your device and remember certain information about your visit.
In addition to traditional HTTP cookies, BEEShop uses localStorage — a web browser storage mechanism that allows data to be stored locally on your device. Unlike cookies, localStorage data is not automatically sent to the server with each request, but it serves a similar purpose of remembering your preferences.
These technologies are collectively referred to as “cookies” throughout this policy, in accordance with Article 5(3) of Directive 2002/58/EC (ePrivacy Directive) and the EDPB Guidelines 2/2023 on the technical scope of Article 5(3), which confirm that localStorage falls within the scope of this provision.
How We Use Cookies
BEEShop uses cookies and similar technologies exclusively for the following purposes:
- Remembering your consent choice — so we do not ask you repeatedly
- Storing your cookie category preferences — so your granular choices are respected
- Understanding website usage — anonymous analytics to improve our service (only with your explicit consent)
We do not use cookies for advertising, profiling, cross-site tracking, or any commercial purpose.
Cookie Categories
Strictly Necessary — No Consent Required
These technologies are essential for the consent mechanism itself to function. They are exempt from the consent requirement under Article 5(3) of the ePrivacy Directive because they are strictly necessary for the provision of a service explicitly requested by you (managing your privacy preferences).
| Name | Provider | Type | Purpose | Duration | Consent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| beeshop-cookie-consent | BEEShop (first-party) | localStorage | Records whether you have responded to the cookie consent banner and your overall choice (accepted/declined) | Persistent (until you clear browser data) | Not required |
| beeshop-cookie-preferences | BEEShop (first-party) | localStorage | Stores your granular cookie category preferences (which categories you enabled or disabled) | Persistent (until you clear browser data) | Not required |
Analytics — Explicit Consent Required
These cookies are placed by Google Analytics 4, a third-party analytics service. They are only activated after you provide explicit consent by clicking “Accept” on the cookie banner or enabling the “Analytics” category in Cookie Preferences.
| Name | Provider | Type | Purpose | Duration | Consent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| _ga | Google LLC (third-party) | HTTP Cookie | Distinguishes unique visitors by assigning a randomly generated identifier | 2 years | Required |
| ga* | Google LLC (third-party) | HTTP Cookie | Maintains session state and tracks interactions across pages within a single visit | 2 years | Required |
Functional — Explicit Consent Required
Functional cookies enable additional features such as remembering your language preference. These are only activated after you provide explicit consent.
BEEShop does not currently place any functional cookies. This category is reserved for future use and is presented in the Cookie Preferences panel for transparency. If functional cookies are introduced, this policy will be updated accordingly.
Legal Basis
For strictly necessary technologies (consent storage)
Legal basis: Article 5(3) of Directive 2002/58/EC (ePrivacy Directive), as transposed by Article 129 of the Belgian Law of 13 June 2005 on electronic communications.
These technologies are exempt from the consent requirement because they are strictly necessary to provide a service explicitly requested by the user — namely, the management of cookie consent preferences.
For analytics cookies
Legal basis: Article 6(1)(a) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) — consent.
Analytics cookies are only placed after you have given your free, specific, informed, and unambiguous consent, in accordance with:
- Article 5(3) of the ePrivacy Directive (prior consent for non-essential storage)
- Article 6(1)(a) and Article 7 of the GDPR (conditions for valid consent)
- The CJEU ruling in Case C-673/17 (Planet49) — consent must be active, not pre-ticked
- The EDPB Guidelines 05/2020 on consent
How We Obtain Your Consent
Cookie consent banner
When you first visit our website, a cookie consent banner is displayed at the bottom of the page. You are presented with two clear options:
- Accept — enables analytics cookies (Google Analytics 4)
- Decline — no analytics cookies are placed; only strictly necessary localStorage is used
No cookies (other than the strictly necessary consent storage) are placed before you make an active choice. The banner does not use pre-ticked boxes or implied consent.
Cookie Preferences panel
At any time, you can access the Cookie Preferences panel by clicking the “Cookie Preferences” link in the website footer. This panel allows you to:
- View all cookie categories with detailed descriptions
- Enable or disable non-essential categories individually (granular control)
- Accept all, reject all, or save custom preferences
Your access to the website is never conditioned on accepting non-essential cookies. All content and functionality remain fully available regardless of your choice.
Withdrawal of consent
You may withdraw your consent at any time, with the same ease as giving it (Article 7(3) GDPR), by:
- Opening the Cookie Preferences panel from the footer and disabling categories
- Clicking “Reject all” in the Cookie Preferences panel
Withdrawal of consent does not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal.
Third-Party Analytics: Google Analytics 4
What is collected
When you consent to analytics cookies, Google Analytics 4 (GA4) collects the following information:
- Pages visited and navigation paths within our website
- Time spent on pages
- Referral source (how you arrived at our website)
- Browser type and version
- Device type and screen resolution
- Approximate geographic location (country and city level, derived from anonymised IP)
How data is processed
- IP anonymisation: IP addresses are anonymised before storage — Google does not store your full IP address
- No advertising: We do not enable Google Signals, remarketing, or any advertising features
- No cross-site tracking: GA4 is configured without cross-domain tracking or User-ID features
- Data retention: Analytics data is retained for 14 months, after which it is automatically deleted
- Data minimisation: We only collect standard page view and interaction data — no custom user identifiers are sent
Data transfers
Google Analytics data is processed by Google LLC, which may transfer data to servers located in the United States. This transfer is governed by:
- The EU-US Data Privacy Framework (where applicable)
- Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) approved by the European Commission
For more information, see Google’s Privacy Policy and How Google uses data from sites that use its services.
Managing Your Cookie Preferences
You can manage your cookie preferences at any time through the following methods:
1. Cookie Preferences panel (recommended)
Click the “Cookie Preferences” link in the website footer to open the preferences panel. You can enable or disable categories and save your choices immediately.
2. Browser settings
Most browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings:
- Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
- Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
- Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
- Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions
To clear localStorage specifically, use your browser’s Developer Tools (Application → Local Storage → beeshop.app → Clear).
3. Google Analytics opt-out
You can prevent Google Analytics from collecting data across all websites by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
Consequences of Refusing Non-Essential Cookies
If you choose to decline or disable analytics cookies:
- The website will continue to function completely normally
- All content, features, and pages remain fully accessible
- No analytics data will be collected about your visit
- No tracking cookies will be placed on your device
- Your browsing experience will not be degraded in any way
The only consequence is that we will not receive anonymous usage statistics about your visit, which we use to improve the website.
Updates to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect:
- Changes in the cookies or technologies we use
- Changes in applicable legislation or regulatory guidance
- Improvements to our consent mechanism
Material changes will be communicated by updating the “Last updated” date at the top of this page. If we introduce new categories of cookies or significantly change how existing cookies are used, the consent banner will be displayed again to allow you to make a new informed choice.
Contact
If you have questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us at:
BEEShop Email: privacy@beeshop.app
You may also contact the Belgian Data Protection Authority (APD/GBA) if you have concerns about how your data is processed:
Autorité de protection des données / Gegevensbeschermingsautoriteit Rue de la Presse 35 / Drukpersstraat 35, 1000 Brussels, Belgium Website: www.dataprotectionauthority.be