🍪 Cookie Policy

Last Updated: January 27, 2025

We use cookies responsibly!

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that your browser stores on your device when you visit our website. They help us make EasyTrashMail better, faster, and more personal!

Cookies in a Nutshell

What they are: Small data packets (often just a few KB)
What they do: Store your preferences and session info
What they're NOT: Viruses, malware, or spyware
Your control: You can delete or block them anytime

2. Why Does EasyTrashMail Use Cookies?

We use cookies for good reasons only:

  • Authentication: Keep you logged in for Premium users
  • Security: Protection against CSRF attacks and session hijacking
  • Temporary Emails: Remember your active email addresses in the browser
  • User Preferences: Your language and interface settings
  • Analytics: Understand how you use our service (anonymized!)
  • Performance: Faster loading times through caching

3. Which Cookies Do We Use?

3.1 Essential Cookies (Always Active)

These cookies are absolutely necessary for EasyTrashMail to function. They cannot be disabled.

Cookie Name Purpose Duration
session_id Manages your browser session Until browser is closed
firebase_auth Firebase authentication token for Premium users Session-based (Firebase managed)
csrf_token Protection against Cross-Site Request Forgery Until browser is closed
temp_emails Your active temporary email addresses Until you delete them

3.2 Functionality Cookies (Optional)

These cookies improve your user experience through personalized settings.

Cookie Name Purpose Duration
user_preferences Your dashboard settings and preferences 1 year
language Your preferred language (German/English) 1 year
email_sort_order Your preferred email sorting 30 days

Premium Settings

Premium users can store additional preferences:

  • Default retention time for new emails
  • Dashboard layout settings
  • Email notification preferences
  • API usage preferences

3.3 Analytics Cookies (Optional, Disableable)

These cookies help us understand how you use EasyTrashMail so we can improve it. All data is anonymized!

Cookie Name Provider Purpose Duration
_ga Google Analytics Distinguishes users for statistics 2 years
_gid Google Analytics Distinguishes users (24h window) 24 hours
_gat Google Analytics Throttles request rate 1 minute
firebase_* Firebase (Google) Performance monitoring, anonymized Variable

Disable Analytics

You can block analytics cookies anytime in your browser settings or install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

3.4 Third-Party Cookies

Some trusted partners set their own cookies:

  • Firebase (Google): Authentication, real-time database, hosting
  • TechWeld API: Email infrastructure and processing
  • Cloudflare: Security, DDoS protection, performance

4. Manage & Delete Cookies

You have full control over cookies! Here are your options:

4.1 Manage in Browser

All modern browsers allow cookie management:

  • Block all cookies (works, but breaks some features)
  • Block only third-party cookies (recommended!)
  • Automatically delete cookies when closing browser
  • Allow/block cookies for specific websites

4.2 Browser-Specific Instructions

Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Safari (Mac) Microsoft Edge Opera Browser Brave Browser

What happens when you block cookies?

Essential cookies blocked: Login doesn't work, temporary emails are lost
Functionality cookies blocked: Settings aren't saved
Analytics cookies blocked: No impact on functionality! ✅

5. LocalStorage & SessionStorage

In addition to cookies, we use modern browser storage technologies:

5.1 LocalStorage

  • Purpose: Store your temporary email addresses and preferences
  • Duration: Unlimited, until you delete it
  • Size: Up to 10MB (much more than cookies!)
  • Usage: Email list, dashboard state, settings

5.2 SessionStorage

  • Purpose: Temporary data during your browser session
  • Duration: Only until browser tab is closed
  • Usage: Current email view, form data

6. Do Not Track (DNT)

Some browsers offer "Do Not Track" signals. Unfortunately, there's currently no universal standard for it.

Our DNT Position

We respect your privacy choices! If you block analytics cookies in your browser settings, they won't be set - regardless of the DNT signal.

7. Cookie Lifetime

Cookies have different lifetimes:

7.1 Session Cookies

Temporary cookies deleted when you close your browser:

  • session_id
  • csrf_token
  • Temporary authentication tokens

7.2 Persistent Cookies

Remain on your device for a specific time:

  • Session-based: firebase_auth (Premium login status)
  • 30 days: Email sorting, filter preferences
  • 1 year: Language, user preferences, advanced settings
  • 2 years: Google Analytics (if enabled)

8. Premium Features & Cookies

Enhanced Cookie Management for Premium

Premium users get additional cookie features:

  • Extended Storage: Longer cookie retention for better user experience
  • Custom Preferences: More detailed settings storage
  • Session Management: Better login persistence
  • Privacy Controls: Granular cookie category management

Upgrade to Premium for enhanced cookie management!

9. Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may occasionally update this policy to reflect new features or legal requirements:

  • Update of "Last Updated" date
  • Banner notification on the website
  • Email notification for Premium users (for significant changes)

10. Contact & Questions

Questions about our cookie usage? We're happy to help!

🍪 Cookie Questions: support@easytrashmail.com

🛡️ Privacy: support@easytrashmail.com

💬 General Support: support@easytrashmail.com

📚 More Info: Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

11. Related Policies

For complete information about our data practices:

Transparency Matters to Us!

We believe in honest, transparent cookie usage. No hidden trackers, no shady practices - only what's necessary for a great service! 🍪✨