1. Overview
We use a small number of cookies and similar technologies (local storage, session storage, pixels) to keep the site working, remember your preferences, and understand how features are being used so we can improve them.
We do not use cookies to build advertising profiles of individual visitors, and we do not sell cookie data to third parties.
2. What cookies are
Cookies are small text files that websites place on your device. They can be “session” cookies, which are deleted when you close your browser, or “persistent” cookies, which remain for a defined period. Similar technologies include local storage (used by the SMSLocal dashboard to remember the last-used campaign tab, for example) and transparent pixels in marketing emails.
3. Categories we use
We classify the technologies we use into four categories:
- Strictly necessary. Required for authentication, fraud prevention, and keeping the site functioning. You cannot disable these without breaking core features like signing in.
- Preferences. Remember UI choices such as theme, language, and the last dashboard tab you visited.
- Analytics. Measure aggregate usage — page views, device and browser distribution, error rates — so we can prioritise engineering work. Where required by law, these are only set after you accept.
- Marketing. Limited use, only on the marketing site, to measure the effectiveness of campaigns we run ourselves. We do not run third-party behavioural advertising networks.
4. Specific cookies
The exact list depends on which products you use. The table below covers cookies used on smslocal.in and in the hosted SMSLocal dashboard at the time of writing. The names, durations, and third-party status are illustrative and will be updated as our stack evolves.
| Name | Purpose | Duration | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| sml_session | Authenticates you on the dashboard and keeps you signed in. | Session | Strictly necessary |
| sml_csrf | Prevents cross-site request forgery on form submissions. | Session | Strictly necessary |
| sml_prefs | Remembers dashboard layout, theme, and default campaign tab. | 12 months | Preferences |
| _sml_analytics | Aggregate product usage — page views and feature adoption. | 13 months | Analytics |
| sml_cookie_consent | Records your consent choices so we don't re-ask on every visit. | 12 months | Strictly necessary |
[PLACEHOLDER — exact cookie list will be reconciled with production once consent banner is wired.]
5. Third-party cookies
Some third-party services we use may set their own cookies when you interact with features they power. Examples include payment processors during checkout, video-embed providers on the marketing site, and WhatsApp widget providers when enabled. We only set these cookies where necessary or where you have granted consent.
6. How to control cookies
You can manage cookies through your browser settings — block all, block third-party only, or delete them on exit. Instructions are available for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. You can also withdraw analytics consent at any time via the cookie settings link in the footer.
Blocking strictly-necessary cookies will break core features such as sign-in. We do not recommend it.
7. Global Privacy signals
Where feasible and required by applicable law, we honour Global Privacy Control signals sent by your browser as a withdrawal of consent for non-essential cookies.
8. Changes to this policy
We update this Cookie Policy when we change which cookies we use or how we use them. The “Last updated” date at the top reflects the most recent change. Material changes will also be announced in our product changelog.
9. Contact
Questions about this policy, or about a specific cookie, can be directed to privacy@smslocal.in.