Cookie Policy
Effective: May 6, 2026 | Version: 1.0
1. What are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files stored by web browsers on your device (computer, smartphone, tablet) when you visit a website. They store information, settings, or preferences that can be retrieved on subsequent visits.
In addition to traditional HTTP cookies, Local Storage, Session Storage, IndexedDB, and similar client-side storage technologies may also be used for similar purposes.
2. Legal Basis for Cookies in the EU
The use of cookies in the European Union and Germany is governed by several legal instruments:
2.1 ePrivacy Directive (Directive 2002/58/EC, amended by Directive 2009/136/EC)
Article 5(3) of the ePrivacy Directive requires prior consent for storing or accessing information on a user’s terminal equipment (e.g., cookies), unless the cookie is strictly necessary for providing a service explicitly requested by the user.
2.2 GDPR (Regulation (EU) 2016/679)
The GDPR applies to the processing of personal data related to cookie usage. The legal basis for processing personal data via cookies is Article 6(1) GDPR.
2.3 TDDDG (Telekommunikation-Digitale-Dienste-Datenschutz-Gesetz)
The TDDDG (in force since July 2024) implements the ePrivacy Directive in Germany and regulates consent requirements and exceptions.
2.4 EDPB Guideline 05/2020
The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) clarified in Guideline 05/2020 that:
- Pre-ticked consent boxes are not valid consent
- Consent must be specific, informed, freely given, and unambiguous
- It must be as easy to withdraw consent as to give it
- The entire user experience of a service cannot be made conditional on consent (unless strictly necessary for the service)
3. Cookie Categories
Category 1: Strictly Necessary Cookies
Definition: These cookies are strictly necessary for the operation of a website and the requested services. They enable basic functions such as page navigation, access to secure areas, and the provision of search services.
Consent requirement: These cookies are exempt from consent requirements (Art. 5(3) ePrivacy Directive / Section 25(2) TDDDG) because they are strictly necessary for providing the explicitly requested service.
Cookies used on asearchz.online:
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration | Type | |—|—|—|—| | searxng_profile | Stores language settings and theme preference | 1 year | HTTP Cookie | | searxng_settings | Stores user preferences | 1 year | HTTP Cookie | | session_* | Session management | Session end | HTTP Cookie |
These cookies store no personal data that could be used to identify individual users.
Category 2: Functional Cookies (Preference Cookies)
Definition: These cookies enable a website to remember previous user decisions and inputs (e.g., language settings, region) to provide improved, personalized features.
On asearchz.online: asearchz.online does not use functional cookies beyond technically necessary session functions.
Category 3: Analytics Cookies (Performance Cookies)
Definition: These cookies collect information about how visitors use a website, such as which pages are most frequently visited. Data is typically collected in aggregated, anonymized form.
On asearchz.online: asearchz.online does not use analytics cookies. No Google Analytics, Matomo, Plausible, Hotjar, or similar analytics tools are deployed.
Category 4: Marketing Cookies (Tracking Cookies)
Definition: These cookies are used to personalize online advertising experiences, display ads based on browsing behavior, and measure advertising campaign effectiveness.
On asearchz.online: asearchz.online does not use marketing cookies. The search engine is completely ad-free. No third-party tracking technologies, pixel tags, fingerprinting, or similar methods are employed.
4. Cookies on asearchz.online – Summary
asearchz.online is a private, ad-free search engine instance configured with privacy in mind.
Cookies used on asearchz.online:
| Category | Type | Count | Consent Required? | |—|—|—|—| | Strictly Necessary | Language settings, Theme | 1-2 | No (Section 25(2) TDDDG) | | Functional | – | 0 | – | | Analytics | – | 0 | – | | Marketing | – | 0 | – |
In total: asearchz.online uses strictly necessary cookies only. No tracking, analytics, or marketing cookies are deployed.
5. How to Manage and Delete Cookies
5.1 Browser Settings
You can manage, restrict, or completely disable cookies in your web browser at any time:
- Google Chrome: Settings -> Privacy and security -> Cookies and other site data
- Mozilla Firefox: Settings -> Privacy & Security -> Cookies and Site Data
- Apple Safari: Settings -> Privacy -> Cookies and website data
- Microsoft Edge: Settings -> Cookies and site permissions -> Manage and delete cookies
5.2 Global Opt-Out for Tracking
- Your Online Choices (Europe): https://www.youronlinechoices.com/
- Network Advertising Initiative: https://optout.networkadvertising.org/
- Digital Advertising Alliance: https://optout.aboutads.info/
5.3 Disabling JavaScript
Disabling JavaScript may limit the functionality of asearchz.online as the search interface uses JavaScript-based interactions.
6. First-Party vs. Third-Party Cookies
6.1 First-Party Cookies
First-party cookies are set by the website you are visiting. They can only be read by asearchz.online and cannot share data with third parties.
All cookies set by asearchz.online originate exclusively from the asearchz.online domain.
6.2 Third-Party Cookies
Third-party cookies are set by third-party providers whose content or services are embedded in the visited website (e.g., advertising networks, social media plugins, external analytics services).
asearchz.online does not use third-party cookies. No external services (Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, etc.) that would set third-party cookies are embedded.
7. Local Storage and Similar Technologies
In addition to HTTP cookies, Local Storage (Web Storage), IndexedDB, and Service Worker Cache may also be used. These are subject to the same legal requirements as HTTP cookies when they store personal data or are used for tracking purposes.
On asearchz.online: No Local Storage, IndexedDB, or Service Worker Cache entries are used for tracking or profiling purposes.
8. EDPB Statement on Cookie Walls
The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) clarified in its Opinion 05/2020 that the practice of cookie walls (websites that deny access unless cookies are accepted) is generally considered an unfair practice under Article 7 GDPR.
Position of asearchz.online: asearchz.online provides its search functionality without any cookie consent requirement because only technically necessary cookies are used, which do not require consent.
9. Contact
For questions about this Cookie Policy:
Graham Miranda UG (limited liability) Hasselfelder Str. 23, 38889 Blankenburg (Harz), Germany Email: kontakt@grahammiranda.com
Effective from: May 6, 2026