Cookies

The shoal.chat marketing site

The site you're reading right now is a static HTML site. It does not set cookies, does not use analytics, and does not include any tracking pixels or third-party scripts. Visiting it does not create any persistent state in your browser.

The Shoal app

The app at app.shoal.chat uses three pieces of strictly-necessary browser storage. None of them are used for tracking, analytics, or advertising.

• IndexedDB. Stores your device's encryption keys, message ciphertext, and the cached state needed to decrypt and display messages. Without this, messages cannot be decrypted on your device.
• localStorage. Holds a session token that keeps you signed in between visits, plus a small amount of UI state.
• Service worker cache. Caches the application's static assets so the app loads quickly and works when you're offline.

All three are scoped to the app domain and cannot be read by other websites. None of them transmit anything to third parties.

Why we don't show a cookie banner

UK GDPR and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) require consent for non-essential cookies and similar technologies. They do not require consent for storage that is strictly necessary to provide a service the user has explicitly requested. Because every piece of storage Shoal uses is strictly necessary for the service to function, we are not required to ask for your consent — and we don't, because we'd rather not pretend a banner is helping you when it isn't.

If you want to clear or block this storage

You can clear browser storage for app.shoal.chat from your browser's settings at any time. Doing so will sign you out and delete your local copy of message history; the next time you sign in, your device will start fresh and re-sync messages from the server. If you block all storage on app.shoal.chat in your browser settings, the app will not be able to function.

For more on what data we hold and how, see our privacy policy.

Contact

Questions: [email protected]