1. Cookies and browser storage
Cookies are small records stored by your browser. We also use local storage to remember your cookie choice and, if you allow it, your service city and parent or caregiver view. These choices apply to this browser on this device; they do not sync between devices. Clearing site data or using a different browser may mean you are asked again.
2. Essential cookies and storage
Essential storage supports account access, security and your privacy choices. It remains enabled when you reject optional features. AuntyNow is responsible for the first-party storage listed below.
| Name / technology | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
auntynow_session — cookie | Keep you signed in; HTTP-only, SameSite=Lax, Secure in production | 7 days; cleared from this browser on sign-out |
auntynow_admin_session — cookie | Separate administrator sign-in; HTTP-only, SameSite=Strict, Secure in production | 4 hours; cleared on administrator sign-out |
auntynow:consent:v1 — local storage | Record optional-category choices, saved timestamp, storage-schema version and cookie-policy revision | Valid for 180 days from saving; an outdated policy revision requires a fresh choice |
Expired local-storage records may remain on disk until replaced or cleared, but do not authorise optional features. The app checks choices on page load, when a tab becomes active, and periodically while open.
3. Optional preferences and support chat
| Feature | Purpose and storage | When used |
|---|---|---|
| Remember my preferences | auntynow:preferences:v1 local storage contains city and parent/caregiver view, not identity documents, passwords, care notes or addresses. | Only with a valid saved choice. Removal is attempted when permission is withdrawn or expires. |
| Support chat | Loads Vera Connect from its hosted service. The provider receives connection information, such as IP/browser data, and your messages; its widget may use local/session storage for chat sessions, recovery, display preferences and assets. | Only after you enable support chat. Turning it off tears down the active widget; the page reloads only if that provider version cannot be stopped safely. |
The provider’s widget includes storage families such as vc_visitor_session_token: (session storage), vc_recovery: and vc_assets: (browser storage). Actual entries depend on the widget configuration. These are provider-controlled, not a promise of a fixed server-side retention period; the full production inventory and provider lifetimes require confirmation.
No advertising or general audience-analytics category is enabled by these controls. Chat can still process interactions needed to operate its features. Email hello@auntynow.com without enabling chat, and avoid sending identity numbers, payment credentials or sensitive family records through the optional widget. Account profile data is separate from device preferences.
4. Accept, reject or change your choices
Accept all enables both optional categories. Reject optional leaves both off. Customize lets you choose each separately, then Save preferences. Neither browsing nor closing an unchanged settings panel gives new consent.
Reopen Cookie settings at the bottom of any page, or use this button. Rejection does not prevent sign-in or booking.
If this browser cannot save the choice, optional features stay off on the current page and the notice explains the failure. You may be asked again on a later visit. Browser settings let you clear site data, including provider-created storage. Blocking essential cookies may prevent sign-in.
Withdrawal stops further widget use on this page; it does not erase messages already sent to the provider or necessarily remove its previously stored browser data. Clear that data in browser settings and use Privacy Requests for earlier messages. Choices apply separately to each browser/device.
5. Other services, updates and contact
A third-party checkout, provider website or mobile operating-system permission is separate from these web controls. Providers may use their own essential security/payment technologies when you request their services. Rejecting optional AuntyNow chat does not disable a payment page you choose to visit. We do not invent cookie names or lifetimes for those separate services.
Material changes to optional purposes or recipients require updating the cookie-policy revision and obtaining a fresh choice. See our Privacy Policy and provider list, or contact privacy@auntynow.com with questions.