TheInsight263 · Last updated: 2 October 2026
TheInsight263 (“we”, “us”, “our”) is a news and multimedia platform serving readers in Zimbabwe and around the world. This policy explains what cookies and similar technologies are, which ones we use at theinsight263.com, why we use them, and how you can control them. It should be read together with our Privacy Policy.
1. What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They let the site recognise your device, remember your settings, and understand how the site is being used. Similar technologies, such as local storage, session storage, pixels and tags, work in comparable ways, and we refer to all of them as “cookies” in this policy.
Cookies may be “session” cookies (deleted when you close your browser) or “persistent” cookies (kept until they expire or you delete them). They may be set by us (“first-party”) or by other organisations whose services appear on our pages (“third-party”).
2. How we use cookies
- To make the site load, display and function correctly, including security and load balancing.
- To remember your preferences, such as theme, text size and consent choices.
- To understand which stories, formats and sections readers value, so we can improve our journalism and the site.
- To deliver and measure advertising and sponsored content that helps fund our reporting.
- To enable embedded video, audio and social media content.
3. Cookies we use
| Category | Purpose | Examples | Consent |
| Strictly necessary | Core site functions, security, fraud prevention, remembering your cookie choices. | Consent record, session and security tokens, load-balancer cookies | Not required |
| Preferences | Remember settings such as display mode, language and followed topics. | Theme, font size, saved sections | Required |
| Analytics | Measure traffic, popular stories and how readers navigate, in aggregated form. | [Analytics provider, e.g. Google Analytics] | Required |
| Advertising | Serve and measure ads and sponsored content, and limit how often you see an ad. | [Ad provider, e.g. Google AdSense] | Required |
| Embedded media & social | Play videos and audio and display posts from other platforms; enable sharing. | YouTube, Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp share | Required |
| Newsletter & comments | Manage subscriptions, sign-ins and comment moderation, and prevent spam. | [Newsletter / comments provider] | Required where optional |
We are happy to publish a full, itemised cookie list (name, provider, purpose, duration) on request. See “Contact us” below.
4. Third-party content
Our stories often include content from other services, including video players, social posts, maps and audio. When you load or interact with this content, those providers may set their own cookies and collect information about your visit. We do not control these cookies. Please review the privacy and cookie policies of the relevant provider. Where required, we will ask for your consent before loading such embeds.
5. Your choices and consent
When you first visit, we show a cookie banner. Apart from strictly necessary cookies, we only set cookies after you have chosen to accept them. You can accept all, reject non-essential cookies, or choose categories individually. You can change or withdraw your choice at any time, and withdrawing consent does not affect processing carried out before withdrawal.
Manage cookie preferences: use the “Cookie settings” link in the footer of every page.
6. Browser controls
Most browsers let you view, block or delete cookies in their settings. Blocking all cookies may stop parts of the site from working properly. Guidance for common browsers:
You can also use your device settings to limit ad tracking, and your browser’s “Do Not Track” or Global Privacy Control signals where supported.
7. How long cookies last
Session cookies expire when you close your browser. Persistent cookies last for the period stated by their provider, generally from a few days up to 13 months. Your consent choice is stored for up to 12 months, after which we will ask you again.
8. Legal basis
We handle personal data collected through cookies in line with the Zimbabwe Cyber and Data Protection Act [Chapter 12:07]. For readers in the United Kingdom, European Economic Area or South Africa, we also act in line with the UK GDPR and PECR, the EU GDPR and ePrivacy rules, and POPIA respectively. We rely on your consent for non-essential cookies, and on our legitimate interest in running a secure and reliable service for strictly necessary cookies.
9. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy when our technology, partners or legal requirements change. The “Last updated” date at the top shows when it was last revised. Where changes are significant, we will let you know on the site and, if needed, ask for your consent again.
10. Contact us
Questions about this policy or your data? Contact us at privacy@theinsight263.com