Cookie Policy
Cookie Policy
Effective Date: March 25, 2026 Last Updated: March 25, 2026
This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are, how Subconscious Mind (“we,” “us,” or “our”) uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on subconsciousmind.ai (the “Site”), what types of cookies we use, and how you can manage your cookie preferences. This policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy.
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently, provide information to site owners, and enhance user experience.
Cookies can be “session” cookies, which are deleted when you close your browser, or “persistent” cookies, which remain on your device for a set period of time or until you delete them manually.
Cookies can be set by the website you are visiting (“first-party cookies”) or by third parties whose services are integrated into the website (“third-party cookies”).
2. How We Use Cookies
We use cookies for the following purposes:
2.1 Essential Cookies
These cookies are strictly necessary for the Site to function and cannot be switched off. They are typically set in response to actions you take, such as setting your cookie consent preferences. Without these cookies, the Site cannot function properly.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| cc_consent | subconsciousmind.ai | Stores your cookie consent preferences (analytics and advertising choices) | 12 months | First-party |
2.2 Analytics Cookies
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of the Site. They help us understand which pages are the most and least popular and how visitors move around the Site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous.
These cookies are set only after you provide consent through our cookie consent banner.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| _ga | Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique users by assigning a randomly generated number as a client identifier. Included in each page request and used to calculate visitor, session, and campaign data. | 2 years | Third-party |
| ga[ID] | Google Analytics 4 | Used to persist session state. Contains a unique identifier for the GA4 property. | 2 years | Third-party |
| _gid | Google Analytics | Stores and updates a unique value for each page visited. Used to distinguish users. | 24 hours | Third-party |
| _gat | Google Analytics | Used to throttle the request rate to Google Analytics, limiting data collection on high-traffic sites. | 1 minute | Third-party |
2.3 Advertising Cookies
These cookies are used by Google AdSense and Google’s advertising network to serve advertisements that are relevant to your interests. They may track your browsing behavior across websites to build an interest profile and show relevant ads on other sites.
These cookies are set only after you provide consent through our cookie consent banner.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| __gads | Google AdSense | Measures interactions with ads displayed on the Site, preventing the same ads from being shown repeatedly. | 13 months | Third-party |
| __gpi | Google Publisher Ads | Used to serve ads on publisher websites within Google’s ad network. | 13 months | Third-party |
| _gcl_au | Google AdSense | Used to store and track conversions. Helps attribute ad interactions to subsequent actions. | 90 days | Third-party |
| IDE | Google DoubleClick | Used to serve targeted advertisements across Google’s ad network based on browsing behavior. | 13 months | Third-party |
| NID | Stores visitor preferences and information to customize ads on Google properties. | 6 months | Third-party | |
| DSID | Used to identify a signed-in user on non-Google sites to respect ad personalization preferences. | 2 weeks | Third-party | |
| 1P_JAR | Gathers website statistics and tracks conversion rates for Google ads. | 1 month | Third-party | |
| CONSENT | Tracks the user’s consent to Google services. | 20 years | Third-party | |
| DV | Used for advertising purposes and to provide relevance through ad tracking. | Session | Third-party |
3. Google Consent Mode v2
The Site implements Google Consent Mode v2 to manage cookies in compliance with privacy regulations, including the GDPR and ePrivacy Directive. This system works as follows:
3.1 Default State
When you first visit the Site, all non-essential cookies are blocked by default. The following consent signals are set to “denied”:
- ad_storage: Controls whether advertising cookies can be set.
- ad_user_data: Controls whether user data can be sent to Google for advertising purposes.
- ad_personalization: Controls whether data can be used for ad personalization.
- analytics_storage: Controls whether analytics cookies can be set.
3.2 Consent Banner
A cookie consent banner appears at the bottom of the page, offering three options:
- Accept All: Grants consent for all cookie categories. All Google tags function fully.
- Reject Non-Essential: Denies consent for analytics and advertising cookies. Only essential cookies are used.
- Manage Preferences: Opens a detailed panel where you can individually toggle analytics and advertising cookies.
3.3 Consent Persistence
Your consent preferences are stored in your browser’s localStorage under the key “cc_consent.” On subsequent visits, your preferences are automatically restored without showing the consent banner again.
3.4 Changing Preferences
You can change your cookie preferences at any time by:
- Clearing your browser’s localStorage for subconsciousmind.ai.
- Deleting all cookies from subconsciousmind.ai in your browser settings.
- Using your browser’s private/incognito mode for a fresh session.
4. Similar Technologies
In addition to cookies, we may use the following technologies:
4.1 Web Beacons (Pixel Tags)
Small transparent images embedded in web pages or emails that allow us to track whether content has been accessed. Google AdSense and Google Analytics may use web beacons in conjunction with cookies.
4.2 Local Storage
We use localStorage (a browser feature) to store your cookie consent preferences. Unlike cookies, localStorage data is not sent to the server with each request and has no expiration date unless explicitly cleared.
4.3 JavaScript Tags
Google Analytics and Google AdSense use JavaScript tags to collect data. These tags execute in your browser and communicate with Google’s servers.
5. Managing Cookies in Your Browser
Most web browsers allow you to manage cookies through their settings. You can:
- View cookies: See what cookies are stored on your device.
- Delete cookies: Remove some or all stored cookies.
- Block cookies: Prevent websites from setting cookies.
- Allow exceptions: Allow cookies from specific sites while blocking others.
Browser-Specific Instructions:
- 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 → Privacy, search, and services → Cookies and site data
Note that blocking all cookies may affect the functionality of the Site and other websites you visit.
6. Impact of Cookie Choices
6.1 If You Accept All Cookies
All site features function normally. Analytics data helps us improve the Site. You may see personalized advertisements relevant to your interests.
6.2 If You Reject Non-Essential Cookies
The Site functions normally for content consumption. We cannot collect analytics data to improve the Site. Advertisements will be generic (not personalized to your interests) but will still appear. Google tags operate in limited mode, collecting only aggregated, non-identifying signals.
6.3 If You Block All Cookies
Essential site functionality may be affected. Your consent preferences cannot be saved, so you may see the consent banner on every visit.
7. Third-Party Cookie Policies
For more information about how third parties use cookies:
- Google Analytics: How Google Uses Information
- Google AdSense: Google Advertising Cookies
- Google Privacy: Google Privacy Policy
- Cloudflare: Cloudflare Cookie Policy
8. Updates to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. The “Last Updated” date at the top of this policy indicates when it was last revised. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
9. Contact Us
If you have questions about our use of cookies, please contact us:
Subconscious Mind Operated by The Vanderbilt Portfolio AG Email: info@subconsciousmind.ai Website: https://subconsciousmind.ai/
10. Cookie Policy and Research Data
The cookies used on Subconscious Mind are exclusively for site analytics and advertising purposes. We do not use cookies to collect research data, track individual user behavior across our intelligence coverage, or create profiles linking users to specific content interests. Our editorial coverage of AI consciousness, neural networks, brain-computer interfaces, and cognitive computing is freely accessible without requiring cookie consent, and rejecting non-essential cookies does not affect your ability to read any content on the Site.
The distinction between site analytics cookies and research data collection is important for users who access Subconscious Mind for professional purposes. Researchers studying consciousness indicators, analysts tracking the $2.94 billion BCI market, investors evaluating neurotechnology companies, and policymakers reviewing AGI governance frameworks can access all intelligence content regardless of their cookie preferences.
11. International Users
Subconscious Mind is accessed by readers worldwide. Our cookie implementation complies with the following international privacy frameworks:
European Union (GDPR): Google Consent Mode v2 ensures that non-essential cookies are blocked by default until explicit consent is granted, as required by the General Data Protection Regulation and the ePrivacy Directive.
United Kingdom (UK GDPR): Post-Brexit UK data protection law mirrors GDPR requirements for cookie consent. Our cookie consent implementation applies equally to UK users.
California (CCPA/CPRA): California residents have the right to know what personal information is collected through cookies, to delete their personal information, and to opt out of the sale of their personal information. Our cookie consent mechanism provides these controls.
Switzerland: As the Site is operated by The Vanderbilt Portfolio AG, Swiss data protection law (nDSG) applies. Our cookie implementation complies with Swiss requirements for transparency and consent.
12. Cookie Security Measures
All cookies set by Subconscious Mind use secure attributes when accessed over HTTPS connections. We implement the following security measures for cookie handling:
Secure Flag: All cookies are transmitted only over encrypted HTTPS connections, preventing interception through man-in-the-middle attacks.
SameSite Attribute: Cookies are configured with appropriate SameSite attributes to prevent cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attacks. Third-party cookies from Google Analytics and AdSense follow Google’s own SameSite policies.
Data Minimization: We collect the minimum data necessary for site analytics and advertising functionality. We do not store personally identifiable information in cookies set by our site.
Regular Audits: We periodically audit the cookies active on our site to ensure compliance with our stated cookie policy and applicable privacy regulations.
13. Technical Implementation Details
Our cookie consent system is implemented using client-side JavaScript that integrates with Google Consent Mode v2. The implementation sets default consent states to “denied” for all non-essential purposes before any Google tags load, ensuring that no tracking cookies are set until the user provides explicit consent. When consent is granted, the consent state is updated via the Google consent API, enabling deferred Google Analytics and AdSense tag execution. This “consent-first” implementation ensures full compliance with GDPR, UK GDPR, and Swiss data protection requirements while maintaining compatibility with Google’s advertising and analytics platforms.
For information about how we handle personal data generally, please see our Privacy Policy. Our cookie practices are designed to balance analytics functionality with user privacy, ensuring that readers can access all intelligence coverage on Subconscious Mind without compromising their personal data. We remain committed to transparent data practices as privacy regulations evolve across global jurisdictions.
For our terms governing site use, see our Terms of Service.