A complete inventory of the HTTP cookies and browser storage keys used by Merlin Play Hub, and how you can control optional analytics via Google Consent Mode v2.
In compliance with the UK Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) and UK GDPR, Merlin Play Hub distinguishes clearly between strictly necessary storage (required to keep you signed in and remember your interface choices) and optional analytics telemetry.
We set a single server-side session cookie when you browse or authenticate:
PHPSESSID (Strictly Necessary · Session Duration): Maintains your authenticated scholar session, your active lighting scene during the visit, and the timestamp used by your session breather timer. Deleted automatically when you log out or close your browser.mph:*)
To allow instant client-side bookmarking and reminders without transmitting unnecessary data to the server, your browser stores the following keys using the mph: prefix:
mph:claims (localStorage): Stores the array of codex folio slugs you have stamped with your personal Wax Sigil so your reading shelf and filter badge stay synchronized.mph:recent (localStorage): Records the slugs of the folios you have opened most recently in play.php to populate your "Recently Studied" shelf tab.mph:consent (localStorage): Remembers whether you clicked Allow analytics (granted) or Reject analytics (denied).mph:snooze (sessionStorage): Stores the temporary snooze timestamp when you click Dismiss on a session breather reminder.
Every page on merlinplayhub.com initializes Google Consent Mode v2 in the document <head> with the following strict defaults:
analytics_storage: 'denied'ad_storage: 'denied'ad_user_data: 'denied'ad_personalization: 'denied'
Advertising storage parameters remain permanently denied. Only if you explicitly click Allow analytics in the consent banner or on our Cookie Preferences page is analytics_storage updated to granted.
When you launch an interactive folio on play.php after signing in, the third-party game demonstration provider may use local storage within its isolated <iframe> origin to remember audio mute toggles and demonstration spin state.
You can inspect and toggle your analytics consent status in real time on our dedicated Cookie Preferences page, or clear site data at any time through your browser's privacy settings.