Effective Date: August 22, 2026

This Cookie Policy explains how VizAtlas (“VizAtlas,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) uses cookies and similar technologies on VizAtlas.org (the “Website”).

This policy should be read together with our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

By continuing to use the Website, cookies and similar technologies may be used in accordance with this Cookie Policy, subject to applicable laws and any consent choices available to you.

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that websites may place on your device when you visit them.

They allow a website to recognize a device, remember certain information, improve functionality, understand how visitors use the website, and support other website operations.

Cookies may be:

Session cookies, which are deleted when you close your browser; or
Persistent cookies, which remain on your device for a specified period or until you delete them.

2. Similar Technologies

In addition to cookies, VizAtlas or third-party service providers may use technologies such as:

Tracking pixels;
Web beacons;
Local storage;
Browser identifiers;
Device identifiers; and
Similar technologies.

These technologies may perform functions similar to cookies, such as measuring website usage, maintaining security, remembering preferences, or supporting advertising.

For simplicity, this Cookie Policy refers to these technologies collectively as “cookies” unless a distinction is necessary.

3. Why VizAtlas Uses Cookies

Depending on the services currently active on the Website, cookies may be used for several purposes.

3.1 Essential Cookies

These cookies may be necessary for the Website to function properly.

They may support:

Website navigation;
Security;
Session management;
Basic WordPress functionality;
Form functionality; and
Other essential technical operations.

Because these cookies may be necessary for the Website to function, they may not always be optional.

3.2 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies may allow the Website to remember preferences or settings.

For example, they may help remember:

Certain display preferences;
Interface settings;
Previously selected options; or
Other functionality-related preferences.

These cookies are generally intended to improve the user experience.

3.3 Analytics Cookies

VizAtlas may use analytics services to understand how visitors interact with the Website.

Analytics technologies may collect information such as:

Pages visited;
Time spent on pages;
Referring websites;
Device type;
Browser information;
Approximate geographic information;
General interaction patterns; and
Website performance information.

This information helps us understand which content is useful to readers and improve the Website.

If Google Analytics or another analytics provider is enabled, the relevant provider may place or access cookies according to its own policies.

3.4 Advertising Cookies

VizAtlas may use third-party advertising services, including Google AdSense, once advertising is enabled.

Advertising providers may use cookies and similar technologies to:

Deliver advertisements;
Measure advertising performance;
Limit repetitive advertisements;
Provide contextual or personalized advertising where permitted;
Detect fraudulent activity; and
Understand interactions with advertisements.

The types of advertising cookies used may depend on the advertising services enabled on the Website and the user’s privacy choices.

3.5 Social Media and Embedded Content

Some VizAtlas pages may eventually contain content or features provided by third-party platforms.

Examples may include:

Social-media embeds;
Videos;
Maps;
External visualizations;
Sharing tools; and
Other third-party content.

These third parties may place cookies or use similar technologies when their content is loaded or interacted with.

Their use of cookies is governed by their own privacy policies.

4. First-Party and Third-Party Cookies

Cookies may be placed by VizAtlas itself or by third-party service providers.

First-party cookies

These are cookies placed directly by the VizAtlas website or services operating on our behalf.

Third-party cookies

These are cookies placed by external providers that provide services such as:

Analytics;
Advertising;
Security;
Embedded content;
Social-media functionality; or
Other website services.

VizAtlas does not control all third-party cookies and recommends reviewing the privacy policies of relevant third parties for additional information.

5. Google Services and Advertising

If Google services such as Google Analytics or Google AdSense are enabled on VizAtlas, Google and its partners may use cookies or similar technologies.

These technologies may be used for purposes such as analytics, advertising, fraud prevention, measurement, and personalization where permitted.

Google’s use of information is governed by Google’s applicable policies and settings.

Users may be able to manage certain advertising preferences through Google’s advertising settings and other available privacy controls.

The exact Google services used by VizAtlas may change over time.

6. Cookie Consent

Where applicable law requires consent before placing or accessing certain non-essential cookies, VizAtlas may use a cookie-consent mechanism.

Depending on your location and applicable legal requirements, you may be presented with options such as:

Accept all cookies;
Reject non-essential cookies;
Customize cookie preferences; or
Manage individual categories of cookies.

Essential cookies may continue to operate where necessary for the Website to function.

Your choices may be stored so that you do not need to provide the same consent repeatedly.

7. Managing Cookies Through Your Browser

Most modern browsers allow users to control or delete cookies.

Depending on your browser, you may be able to:

View stored cookies;
Delete cookies;
Block cookies;
Block third-party cookies;
Allow cookies only from selected websites; or
Receive notifications before cookies are stored.

You can usually find these settings in your browser’s privacy or security settings.

Blocking or deleting cookies may affect certain Website features or functionality.

8. Managing Advertising Preferences

If advertising services are enabled on VizAtlas, you may have additional options for managing advertising preferences through the relevant advertising provider.

Advertising preferences may allow you to control certain forms of personalized advertising.

The availability of these controls may vary depending on your location, device, browser, and applicable advertising provider.

9. Do Not Track

Some browsers offer a “Do Not Track” setting.

Because there is no universally accepted technical standard for responding to all Do Not Track signals, the Website may not respond to every such signal.

Where applicable law requires us to recognize a particular privacy signal, VizAtlas will seek to comply with those requirements.

10. Cookies and Personal Information

Cookies do not necessarily contain information that directly identifies you.

However, certain cookie identifiers, IP addresses, device information, or similar information may be considered personal information under applicable privacy laws.

Where cookie-related information is considered personal information, it will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable laws.

11. Cookie Retention

The length of time a cookie remains on your device depends on its type and purpose.

Some cookies are deleted when your browser session ends.

Other cookies may remain for a defined period or until you delete them.

The retention period of third-party cookies is generally determined by the relevant third-party provider.

12. Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect:

Changes to the Website;
New technologies;
New analytics services;
New advertising providers;
Changes in our use of cookies;
Changes in applicable laws; or
Changes to our privacy practices.

When we make changes, we will update the “Effective Date” at the beginning of this policy.

We encourage visitors to review this page periodically.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions about our use of cookies or similar technologies, please contact VizAtlas through the Contact Us page.

Website: VizAtlas.org

Last Updated: August 21, 2026