Transparency

Cookies on this site

Left to itself, this site sets a single cookie: it remembers your language. Everything else is stored only after you have expressly agreed inside the conversation with Mr. SIMO.

The complete list

What this site stores on your device, with purpose, lifetime and legal basis
NamePurposeLifetimeConsent required
NEXT_LOCALERemembers whether you read the site in German or English. Without it, the language would reset with every page you open.Until you close your browserNo, strictly necessary under Section 25(2)(2) TDDDG
simo-mrsimo-einwilligungRecords that you agreed to talk to Mr. SIMO, and when. Without it you would have to agree again after every reload, and we could not demonstrate that you ever agreed at all. It carries nothing that identifies you: a version number and a timestamp.7 daysYes, Section 25(1) TDDDG. You give it in the chat window and withdraw it there with one click.
simo-mrsimo-gespraech (local storage)Keeps the transcript of your conversation with Mr. SIMO so you can pick it up after an interruption instead of starting over. Not a cookie but an entry in your browser's local storage, which means it never travels with a request and never reaches our server.7 days from your last messageYes, Section 25(1) TDDDG, the same agreement as above
__cf_bm, cf_clearanceCookies set by Cloudflare, our delivery network, to fend off automated attacks. __cf_bm distinguishes human from machine traffic; cf_clearance records that a security check was passed. Both serve security, not measurement.__cf_bm about 30 minutes, cf_clearance up to one yearNo, necessary to repel attacks under Section 25(2)(2) TDDDG

Why there is no cookie banner here

A consent banner is required when a site reaches into your device for something the service you asked for does not need — typically audience measurement, recognition, or advertising.

None of that happens here. We run no analytics, tracking, or advertising tools, neither our own nor anyone else's. There is no audience measurement, no pixel, no matching of your visit against other sites.

Two entries do need your agreement: the record of your consent and the stored conversation with Mr. SIMO. Neither exists until you open the companion and expressly agree there. That puts the question exactly where it arises; a banner on the home page would ask everyone about something most visitors never use. You can delete both from the chat window with one click, without going through your browser settings.

Our podcast episodes are hosted on YouTube. They load only once you click “Play episode”. Before that, Google learns nothing about your visit. The click is the consent; a banner beforehand would ask the same question twice.

We consider this the more honest approach. A banner guarding a site with nothing to guard costs you a click and suggests something is being collected.

If this changes

Should we ever introduce a tool that requires consent, we will update this page first and ask you before it loads. This list is the first thing that changes.