How We Use Storage Technologies

Religion & Theology Archive (heqeh.com) uses cookies, local storage, and similar technologies to make the catalogue function reliably, remember your preferences, and—where you have consented—to understand how the site is used and to show advertisements that help sustain the archive. This page explains what these technologies are, which ones we use, and how you can control them.

Essential Cookies and Local Storage

Certain storage is strictly necessary for the site to operate. These technologies allow you to navigate the catalogue, save your reading position or theme selections, and maintain security. Without them, core features such as browsing categories or accessing ebooks would not work. Essential storage does not require your prior consent and cannot be disabled through our cookie controls.

Preference Storage

We may store your choices about display settings, such as text size or view mode, so that they persist between visits. This storage is not essential but improves your experience. Where we rely on consent for non-essential storage, we will ask before setting these items. For example, if you select a particular view for a reading companion or adjust the font size on a page about The Life or Legend of Gaudama, those preferences are remembered through preference storage.

Analytics Storage (Where Enabled)

If you have consented to analytics cookies, we may use first-party analytics services to collect aggregated, anonymized data about how visitors interact with the catalogue—for example, which pages are most frequently viewed, how long readers stay, and what search terms are used. This information helps us improve the site’s content and navigation, such as understanding which categories—like Sermons Devotion or Magic & Imaginary Worlds—are most engaging. No personally identifiable information is collected through these tools. You may withdraw your consent at any time.

Advertising Storage (Where Ads Are Displayed)

Some pages may include advertisements provided by Google and its partners. Where advertising is shown and you have given appropriate consent, Google may use cookies and other identifiers to serve ads based on your visits to this site and other websites. These technologies enable ad measurement, frequency capping, and interest-based advertising. You can manage your Google ad settings through the Google Ads Settings page. If you do not consent to advertising cookies, you will still see ads, but they will be less relevant to your interests.

First-Party and Third-Party Cookies

First-party cookies are set by heqeh.com and are used primarily for essential functions and preferences. Third-party cookies may be set by Google Analytics (where analytics are enabled) and by Google advertising services (where ads are displayed). These third parties have their own privacy policies governing the data they collect. We do not control those cookies. For instance, when you read a page like “The Numbering of the People”, third-party cookies may be used only if you have consented to analytics or advertising.

Session and Persistent Storage

Some storage items are session-based and expire when you close your browser. Others are persistent and remain on your device for a period determined by the technology provider. We do not specify fixed durations because these may vary; you can clear persistent storage at any time through your browser settings. Persistent storage might remember your consent choice or a preference for how you like to view Women in white raiment — Inside the Classic.

Your Choices

When you first visit the site, you may see a consent notice that allows you to accept or decline non-essential storage. You can change your preferences at any time by clicking the “Cookie Settings” link available in the footer of every page. Most web browsers also allow you to view, block, or delete cookies and local storage through their settings. Please note that disabling essential storage may prevent certain features from working correctly, such as saving your reading progress in a long work like The Existence and Attributes of God.

Withdrawal of Consent

If you have previously consented to analytics or advertising storage, you may withdraw that consent by updating your cookie settings or by clearing your browser’s stored data. Withdrawal will not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal. You can also use your browser’s private or incognito mode to avoid persistent storage during a session.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the technologies we use or in legal requirements. Any changes will be posted on this page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

Contact

If you have questions about how we use storage technologies, you can contact our editorial team at [email protected].