1. The short version
GHub AI uses a secure session cookie when you sign in and local browser storage to remember your cookie preference. Google Analytics is optional and is not loaded until you choose “Allow analytics”. Choosing “Essential only” leaves the public site and product fully usable.
2. Browser storage we use
| Name/provider | Purpose | Type | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|---|
__session / GHub AI | Authenticates the signed-in browser to the dashboard and connector consent flow. HttpOnly, Secure on HTTPS and SameSite=Lax. | Strictly necessary cookie | Up to 14 days; removed on logout in this browser, invalidated on profile deletion. |
ghub-ai.cookie-preferences / GHub AI | Stores policy version, analytics on/off choice and save time so we do not ask on every page. | Strictly necessary localStorage | Until browser storage is cleared or a new consent version requires a new choice. |
_ga / Google Analytics | Distinguishes browsers for aggregate site measurement after opt-in. | Optional analytics cookie | Up to 2 years under Google Analytics defaults. |
_ga_* / Google Analytics | Maintains and counts a visit/session after opt-in. | Optional analytics cookie | Up to 2 years under Google Analytics defaults. |
Google or Firebase sign-in pages may set their own cookies on Google domains. Those are controlled by Google and governed by its policies; GHub AI cannot read them.
3. Your choice
“Essential only” and “Allow analytics” are both available from the first banner. Analytics refusal has no product penalty. Use at any time to choose again. Disabling analytics prevents future Analytics loading by GHub AI; you can clear existing _ga cookies using browser controls.
Browser blocking can also prevent cookies or localStorage, but blocking the session cookie means the authenticated dashboard cannot function. Privacy extensions and Global Privacy Control may offer additional browser-side controls; GHub AI does not treat them as permission to enable analytics.
4. Changes
When a change affects the meaning of your choice, we increment the cookie consent version and show the banner again. Purely editorial clarifications do not require a new choice.