Cookie Policy

Last updated: 17/04/2026

At bytestark.com we use a small number of cookies to keep you signed in, remember your preferences, and understand how the platform is used so we can keep improving it. This page explains exactly what each cookie does, how long it stays on your device, and how you can manage them.

1. What are cookies?

Cookies are small text files that a website places on your device when you visit it. They let the site remember information about your visit — such as whether you are signed in or which language you prefer — so you don't have to provide it again on every page. Some cookies are essential for the site to work at all; others help the site owner understand how the site is used or improve the user experience.

Cookies used on Bytestark fall into two technical categories:

  • Session cookies: Temporary — they are deleted when you close your browser.
  • Persistent cookies: Stored on your device until they expire or you delete them manually.

2. Categories of cookies we use

We group the cookies we use into three categories based on their purpose:

  • Essential Strictly necessary for the platform to work. They let you sign in, submit forms safely, and keep your session active. These cookies cannot be disabled without breaking core functionality.
  • Preference Remember choices you have made, such as your display language. These are not strictly required but make the platform more convenient to use.
  • Analytics Help us measure traffic and understand how people interact with the platform so we can improve it. Where possible, analytics data is aggregated or pseudonymized.

3. Detailed cookie list

The table below lists the cookies set directly by Bytestark. Some cookie names may include a suffix depending on your browser.

Name Category Purpose Duration
csrftoken Essential Protects against Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks by validating that form submissions originate from the signed-in user. 1 year
sessionid Essential Keeps you signed in as you move between pages. Without it, you would need to log in again on every page. Session / up to 2 weeks
django_language Preference Remembers the language you have selected so the interface is displayed in the right language on your next visit. 1 year
messages Essential Temporarily stores one-off status notifications (for example, confirmations after submitting a form) until they are displayed to you. Session
cookie_consent Preference Stores your cookie preferences so we do not ask you again on every visit. 6 months
_ga, _ga_* Analytics Set by Google Analytics to distinguish visitors and measure how the platform is used. Only active if analytics are enabled. Up to 2 years

This list is kept up to date, but cookies may occasionally be added or removed. Check this page periodically for the latest information.

4. Third-party cookies

Some pages may load content or services provided by trusted third parties (such as embedded videos, code sandboxes, or analytics providers). These third parties may set their own cookies when their content is displayed. We do not control these cookies directly, and they are governed by each third party's own privacy and cookie policies.

Typical third parties that may set cookies when you interact with their features on Bytestark include:

  • Analytics providers used to measure aggregate site traffic;
  • Authentication providers, if you sign in with a third-party account;
  • Content delivery networks (CDNs) used to serve static assets such as fonts or icons.

5. Why we use cookies

We use cookies to:

  • Keep you securely signed in and maintain your session across pages;
  • Protect forms against CSRF and other common web attacks;
  • Remember preferences such as language so the platform feels consistent on return visits;
  • Measure traffic, page performance and usage patterns so we can prioritize improvements;
  • Detect and prevent abuse of sandbox environments and other platform resources.

6. Managing your cookies

You can accept, refuse, or delete cookies at any time. Most browsers let you see which cookies are stored, block specific ones, or clear them entirely.

Essential cookies cannot be turned off. If you block them, core features such as signing in, submitting exercises, or launching sandboxes will not work.

Instructions for managing cookies in common browsers:

Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Apple Safari Microsoft Edge Opera

7. Do Not Track signals

Some browsers offer a 'Do Not Track' (DNT) feature that signals to websites that you do not wish to be tracked. Because there is no common industry standard for how sites must respond to DNT, Bytestark does not currently react differently to these signals. You can still control cookies and tracking through the options described above.

8. Changes to the cookie policy

We may update this cookie policy from time to time to reflect changes to the platform, the cookies we use, or applicable legislation. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated 'Last updated' date. We encourage you to review this page periodically to stay informed about our use of cookies.

9. Contact

For questions about our use of cookies or any other privacy-related matters, you can contact us at:

Email: contact@bytestark.com